03/19/2024
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Contributed by Christopher Williams with Bladen County Board of Elections

Bladen County held a preliminary consideration meeting Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 9:00 am to consider the complaint filed by Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. The Bladen County Board of Elections met and unanimously approved to dismiss the protest filed by Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. Board Members present at the meeting. Chairperson Louella Thompson, Secretary Deborah Bell, Patricia Sheppard and Emery White. Mr. Aycock was not present.

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Preliminary consideration to consider the complaint filed by Chief Justice Cheri Beasley

Bladen County will be holding a preliminary consideration meeting Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 9:00 am to consider the complaint filed by Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. The meeting will be by telephone and the public is invited to join the meeting. There will be no question or answer from the public. The board will consider the complaint as filed at the preliminary consideration and will not take any evidence.  It will determine at that meeting whether the protest substantially complies with the form requirement and whether it establishes probable cause of an outcome-determinative violation.

Chief Justice Cheri Beasley

Purpose of Preliminary Consideration Phase: We do not believe it is appropriate for the county board at its preliminary consideration to consider documents beyond the election protest and any attachments as filed.  This is outlined on page 5 of the Election Protest Procedures Guide, which regarding the preliminary consideration hearing states: “The county board should consider only allegations presented on the protest form and any attachments.” It also notes that, “because the county board is considering whether the complaint on its face establishes probable cause, it is not required that these individuals be allowed to speak at the preliminary consideration stage.”

Notice for scheduling preliminary consideration: You are not required to give 48 hours’ notice for the preliminary consideration. The statute requires that the board meet “as soon as possible after the protest is filed” (G.S. 163-182.10(a)). It is a best practice to give the affected candidates notice.

Wed, Nov 25, 2020 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (EST)

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (669) 224-3412

– One-touch: tel:+16692243412,,155192917#

Access Code: 155-192-917

The North Carolina State Board of Elections also announced an upcoming meeting today. The State Board of Elections will hold a meeting beginning at 11:00 a.m.  on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.  Due to rapidly increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina, the State Board will now conduct its meeting remotely.

Meeting materials will be posted on a rolling basis on the State Board’s meeting website. Members of the public and the media may view and listen to the meeting as follows:

Online:        https://bit.ly/33b79F2

By Phone:   Dial 415-655-0003 and enter access code 178 388 3248#

TENTATIVE AGENDA

 

Statement regarding ethics and conflicts of interest

G.S. § 138A-15(e)

 

Approval of prior meeting minutes

         G.S. § 143-318.10(e)

 

Appointment to fill vacancies on county boards of elections

        G.S. § 163-30(d)

Canvass of November 3 general election

         G.S. § 163-182.5(c)

 

Consideration of requests for waivers of campaign finance late filing penalties

         G.S. § 163-278.34

 

Preliminary consideration of complaints against county board of elections members

08 NCAC 03 .0102

         Complaint by Rickey Wilson against Brenda Bowman (Camden CBE)

         Complaint by Rickey Wilson against Sue Hicks (Camden CBE)

 

Adjourn

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