UPDATE: State Auditor calls for resignation of Surry County elections chair after his Wilmington arrest

–UPDATE–  James Yokeley submitted his resignation as Chair of the Surry County Board of Elections just before 12:00 p.m. Thursday.

“As I had called for, the Chair of the Surry County Board of Elections has resigned. With his resignation, the Surry County Board and State Board can now, without distraction, move forward with the process of appointing a replacement.” Said State Auditor Dave Boliek.

Read his full resignation letter here

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — State Auditor Dave Boliek called for the resignation of James Yokeley as Chair of the Surry County Board of Elections after he was arrested earlier this week for allegedly trying to drug his granddaughters.

“The arrest and investigation of the Surry County Board of Elections Chair is very disturbing. This matter distracts from election management in Surry County and must be addressed quickly and directly,” said State Auditor Boliek. “Our office is built on holding individuals accountable. He needs to resign, and Surry County needs a new Board of Elections Chair. If he doesn’t resign, I’ll be requesting the State Board take action today to remove him as Chair.”

Yokeley was first appointed to the Surry County Board of Elections as a member in July 2023. He was appointed chair of the county board earlier this year.

James Yokeley was arrested in Wilmington for allegedly putting drugs in his granddaughters ice cream. Yokeley was charged with contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance, felony child abuse, and felony possession of Schedule I narcotics.