by Blake Proctor
At noon on Tuesday, July 20th, four of the five Bladen County Board of Elections members gathered in the board room at the Elections office to be sworn in by Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court Niki Dennis.
Previously, Board Chair Louella Thompson had been reappointed by Governor Roy Cooper to continue serving on the county board in that capacity.
County Democratic Party Chairman Rev. Larry Hayes and GOP Chairman Wayne Schaeffer had each submitted the two names from each Party who are now serving for consideration by the NC State Board of Elections (SBOE) to continue serving.
The names forwarded to the SBOE by Mr. Hayes were current Board members Deborah Belle and Patricia Sheppard; Board members Emery White and Michael Aycock were chosen to continue in that capacity by Mr. Schaeffer.
Karen Brinson Bell, Executive Director of the SBOE, while approving the Belle, White, and Aycock applications, passed on Ms. Sheppard’s submission.
Informed of that fact, Mr. Hayes began a search for an alternative candidate to fill that vacancy. Mr. Hakeem Brown was subsequently nominated by Mr. Hayes for consideration by the SBOE.
Later, however, Mr. Brown sent a letter declining appointment due, according to Bladen Board of Elections Director Chris Williams, to “changes in circumstances.”
Hence, only the four continuing members being sworn in on July 20th by Ms. Dennis.
According to Mr. Williams, the next scheduled meeting of the State Board is in September, but they may opt to call a special meeting to appoint members across the state to fill current vacancies. Ms. Sheppard’s name is still active, and she may yet be in contention for reappointment.
At the conclusion of the swearing in at 12:07 pm, everyone scattered to continue their day.
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