Board approves minutes, declines to track poll-worker party affiliation and schedules certification meeting

The Irwin County Board of Elections & Registrations approved the meeting minutes unanimously and adjourned at 4:17 p.m. during its April 9 meeting.

Vice-Chair Charlene Hutchinson moved to approve the minutes as written; Representative Patricia Thurman seconded and the minutes were approved unanimously. At the meeting close, Hutchinson moved to adjourn, Thurman seconded, and the board voted to adjourn at 4:17 p.m. The board scheduled its next meeting for Friday, May 24, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. to certify the May 21 general primary and special election results.

During board comments, Chairman Waymond Harris asked whether the office tracks poll workers’ political affiliations. Election Supervisor Ethan Compton said the office does not maintain such a list, citing court rulings in recent years that found questions about political affiliation on poll worker applications to be discriminatory in other counties.