CURRITUCK COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

Minutes - Regular Meeting of the Board of Elections

-
Election Office
2795 Caratoke Highway
Currituck, North Carolina 27929
Present:
  • Edward Ponton, Chair
  • Eldon Miller, Secretary
  • Chris Hooper, Board Member
  • Alice Malesky, Board Member
  • Dorothy "Dot" Johnson, Board Member
Staff Present:
  • Kimberly Twine, Board of Elections Director
  • Megan Morgan, County Attorney
  • Karen Anderson, Dare County League of Women Voters

1.
Call to Order

 

Edward Ponton, Chair at 10:00 a.m.

2.
Pledge of Allegiance

 

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance was called.

3.
Review and Approval of Previous Minutes

 

After reviewing the previous minutes, Eldon Miller motioned to approve, a second was made by Dot Johnson. The previous minutes dated 04/08/2025 were unanimously approved.

  • MOVER: Eldon Miller
    SECONDER: Dorothy "Dot" Johnson
    AYES (5)Edward Ponton, Alice Malesky, Chris Hooper, Eldon Miller, and Dorothy "Dot" Johnson
    RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)

4.
Review of Upcoming Events

 
  • Ponton shared hearing a news story about the Currituck County “I Voted” sticker winning a national award. He heard this on a local radio station but could not remember which station.
  • The director announced Currituck County Board of Elections will host the North Carolina Association of Directors of
    Elections (NCADE) District 8 meeting, June 20, 2025. Twine also shared the group will have lunch at Eagle Creek following the general meeting at the Board of Elections office.

5.
New Business

 

1.
Director seeks approval for Election Training for Residents. Focus June issue review.

 

Director seeks approval for Election Training for county residents. Twine shared popularity with the county’s Citizen Academy and believes the Currituck County Board Of Election (CCBOE) should offer mock election training to the county’s residents.  The classes will offer hands-on with actual equipment, and election scenarios. Three dates are to be offered, and this will be advertised in the June Focus. Eldon Miller suggests inviting our youth, too.

Twine asked for the board’s approval.  Edward motioned to approve of the events and Miller gave a second. Scheduling of Currituck County Voter Training was passed unanimously.

  • MOVER: Edward Ponton
    SECONDER: Eldon Miller
    AYES (5)Edward Ponton, Alice Malesky, Chris Hooper, Eldon Miller, and Dorothy "Dot" Johnson
    RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)

2.
Update – Griffin Protest (May 6)

 

Update regarding Griffin protest. The state supreme court sided with Riggs and on May 7, 2025, Griffin conceded. North Carolina Supreme Court Justice, Allison Riggs has been officially sworn into office. This case is now closed.

3.
Update - Stein v Berger SB 382

 

a.
Review of NC General Statute 163-19. State Board of Elections

 

Review of General Statute 163-19. State Board of Elections. Twine updated the board members on the NCSBE changes, including the names of the new NCSBE members and Executive Director.

b.
Review of NC General Statute163-30. Review changes for County Board of Elections

 

Review of NC General Statute 163-30. Review changes for County Board of Elections. Ponton gave a brief update from the local democrat party and their application process.  Guest, Karen Anderson conferred. Twine was asked about the names being recommended by the Currituck GOP for appointments.  She shared the former County Commissioner, Bob White and Nancy Bass had been mentioned. Local board appointments are scheduled for both parties, June 25, 2025. Brandon Johnson is scheduled to swear in the new board members on July 22, 2025, at noon as per NC General Statute 163-30. This happens statewide.

4.
Proposed Resolution for pay to Director for additional hours worked.

 
  • Proposed Resolution presented by Director Twine, for pay to the director for additional (extra) hours worked during election cycles was presented to the board members for review and approval. Ponton shared GS 163-35-c and stressed the difference between “extra pay”, not to be confused with overtime or bonus pay, and the board’s frustration with on-going denials from the county commissioners to recognize the state statute and pay these hours required of the director during election cycles. Miller acknowledged the work Twine has performed to bring the office up to compliance since she started.  Twine explained overtime hours are random and can happen occasionally, but the extra hours required of a director of elections are known and mandatory during an election cycle.  Twine also gave the example of her 218 extra hours worked during the 2024 election year which have not been paid, and compared that against the deputy director’s pay, plus the comp she receives for her extra hours, Twine explained the deputy director is making more money than the director when the extra hours are not paid to the director, but the deputy is paid comp time. Ponton expressed his disappointment with the last commissioner’s meeting and comments made regarding overtime pay by some commissioners. Attorney Morgan suggested that Twine write out the extra hour duties to give commissioners greater understanding.  Ponton shared support he has received from NCSBE (Karen Brinson-Bell and Neil Baddour) to pay Twine for extra hours as per NC State Statute 163-35, c.  Twine stated the recommended additional documents will be forth coming as per Attorney Morgan. Ponton moved for the board to accept the resolution, Eldon Miller called for a second.  The resolution was accepted unanimously. Signed approval to be completed once the recommended additional documents are attached.
  • Continuing with the discussion of the director’s pay, Chair Ponton brought up the FY2026 budget and the low salary recommended for Twine. Ponton stated that the extra hours worked need to be paid and the salary needs to be closer to the state average. Morgan again suggested Twine should include the duties performed during the extra hours worked.  Ponton recommends Twine include the letter of recommendation from Brinson-Bell which details many of the duties worked by the director during these hours. Ponton shared his phone conversation with County Manager Rebecca Gay where he referenced the statute’s wording of 163-35 c, regarding “counties of similar situation” and asked if Gay could explain why the county’s pay study did not include just the immediate geographically local counties. Twine stated, “Comparing other counties outside of our immediate area water down the results for pay”. Chair Ponton stated that as Currituck County grows, this office and its responsibilities will only increase the demands of the director, and such low pay does not help to retain or encourage current staff.  Miller expressed his opinion that Twine came in at a challenging time and has quickly learned her job and served the office better than anyone during his 6-year tenor on the board”.  Dorothy Johnson conferred.  Guest, Karen Anderson asked why the director can’t be paid.  Ponton said the funds are in the budget and it makes no sense why the commissioners continue to deny these requests. Chris Hooper asked for clarity as to the hiring process of the director. Twine explained the process after Ponton compared the County Board of Elections being like Social Services regarding the unique hiring process and requirements; election directors are hired by the state and paid by their local county. Ponton also pointed out that the election director’s position is unique in having a state statute specifically written to provide pay for the extra hours worked.  Attorney Morgan agreed with this point. Chair Ponton asked if there was anything further to discuss.  There was none.

 

  • MOVER: Edward Ponton
    SECONDER: Eldon Miller

    Board vote to accept the resolution.

    AYES (5)Edward Ponton, Alice Malesky, Chris Hooper, Eldon Miller, and Dorothy "Dot" Johnson
    RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)

6.
Reports

This item has attachments. 
1.Extra Hours 2md Primary.pdf
2.Extra Hours March 2024 Primary.pdf
3.GENERAL ELECTION HOURS WORKED.pdf
4.Letter from NCSBE-Bell.pdf
5.163-19.pdf
6.163-30.pdf
7.June Focus.pdf
8.Additional Hours APPROVED RESOLUTION.pdf
9.Explanation for Extra Hours.pdf
  • Draft for the Currituck County Focus, June 2025 issue.
  • NCSBE statement regarding Federal Court update-Griffin protest
  • Senate Bill 382
  • NC Gen Stat. 163-19; NC Gen Stat 163-30
  • Approved resolution (to be signed along with the below)
  • Director’s Duties and Responsibilities
  • Letter from former NCSBE Executive Director regarding director’s raise and duties

7.
Next Meeting

 

General Business Meeting – Tuesday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM. 

8.
Close of Business Meeting

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Edward Ponton at 12:29 P.M. with a second given by Eldon Miller. The motion passed unanimously.

  • MOVER: Edward Ponton
    SECONDER: Eldon Miller
    AYES (5)Edward Ponton, Alice Malesky, Chris Hooper, Eldon Miller, and Dorothy "Dot" Johnson
    RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)
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