New Hanover Board of Elections meets for first time since petition to remove elections director

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Board of Elections met Tuesday for the first time since a petition seeking the removal of suspended Elections Director Denay Harris was submitted to the State Board of Elections.

A source close to the investigation told WWAY the petition was signed by all five board members last month and sent to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, formally beginning the process to remove Harris from her position.

The petition marks the next step in determining Harris’ future with the county elections office, though a final decision will be made at the state level.

Harris told WWAY she believes her suspension followed friction between herself and members of the county staff.

Board of Elections Chair Jamie Getty said Harris remains the county’s elections director during the process and that an interim director cannot be appointed until the petition process is complete.

No timeline has been announced for when the state board will take action on the petition.