Election officials uphold challenge in Brunswick County

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The State Board of Elections will now decide whether a new election should be held for a seat on the Brunswick County Commission.

At a hearing today in Bolivia, the Brunswick County Board of Elections upheld a challenge filed by Alan Lewis, who ran for a seat in the fourth district. Lewis came in second place in that race and challenged the residency of the man who came in last, Louie Lewis. Only 460 votes separate Alan Lewis from the leader, Mike Forte. 

At the hearing, election officials used utility bills to determine Louie Lewis spent more time a home in a separate district in the county. According to the StarNews, Louie Lewis listed an address in the 200-block of Ocean Highway East to run in the race, but acknowledged that he spent more time at a home off of Southport-Supply Road SE.

According to Director Sara Knotts, the matter will now be sent to the state for consideration.