Robbinsville – For now, the results of the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s Nov. 2 municipal election will stand.
The Graham County Board of Elections dismissed two separate protests filed at a special preliminary hearing Nov. 17, citing incomplete paperwork being submitted as part of the challenges.
Through a public records request, The Graham Star obtained copies of both protests, which sought to have the votes tallied for Connie Gross and Tina Emerson – who were both elected via write-in votes – thrown out. Both protests indicated the desire for a new election to be held as well.
However, section 14 of the form – “affected parties and service” – was left blank on both submissions. The section requires that anyone being challenged be notified within one business day of the protests being filed and notes that it is up to the protester to provide service to those being challenged, whether it be through an attorney or a mailed document.
Emerson and Gross’ nominations were being challenged due to questions surrounding their primary residence. Both have addresses outside the county – one elsewhere in North Carolina, and one in Florida – but also have Lake Santeetlah addresses.
Separate challenges about voter eligibility were filed – but not valid, as any such paperwork was due the 25th day before the election took place, per N.C. G.S. 163-85.
Furthermore, the Graham County Board of Elections has consistently cited N.C. G.S. 163-57 when it comes to the voter-eligibility argument, as anyone wishing to register simply needs to state their intention to return to the address as their full-time dwelling.
Residents throughout the town have expressed their displeasure with the write-in votes received, which almost completely flipped the council – sans incumbent Diana Simon, who received the most votes (22) and Mayor Jim Hager (11 votes), who won the fifth seat in a coin-flip tiebreaker on Nov. 9. Hager has publicly stated his desire to resign, but the topic was not discussed at the town’s Nov. 18 meeting.
All new municipals councils and officials will be sworn in by Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway on Monday, Dec. 6.