Board reviews registration-repair progress and poll-worker recruitment; member warns training gaps could trigger election remedies

The board received updates on voter-registration repairs, poll-worker recruitment and training at its Jan. 8 meeting.

Staff said the county’s registration-repair list had been reduced from 2,010 to 1,746 after outreach and corrections; 388 mailed notices were returned as undeliverable and staff said they are awaiting guidance from the state board about how to handle those records. Staff explained voters flagged inactive through this process will not need to re-register but must provide identification when they vote to restore active status.

On poll-worker recruitment, staff said the county has roughly 300 workers in the system and plans an outreach action plan (to be reviewed by the board) to expand the pool, including outreach to businesses and recurring poll workers. The board discussed whether to flag or exclude 27 poll workers who failed to appear for a recent general election; staff said they had not taken action yet but could if the board directed.

The board discussed compensation. Staff described pay ranges that vary by role: an assistant who attends training and works election day was discussed in the meeting as receiving approximately $200–$215, with judges and chief judges paid more and additional pay for early-voting days or supply pickup.

A board member who identified himself as 'Mister Stewart' said recent poll-worker training had been ‘‘totally inadequate’’ in his view and urged concentrated, hands-on training for the new ballot-on-demand equipment to avoid errors. Stewart cited examples from other localities — including a Morehead City mayoral race that was ordered after poll-worker errors affected one-vote margins — to underscore the consequences of poor training. No specific disciplinary actions for no-shows were adopted at the meeting.

Staff also said absentee-by-mail began Jan. 12 and that ballots were in proofing and expected to be mailed the following week.