New Hanover elections board recommends Eric Navagh as next elections director

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Board of Elections has unanimously recommended Eric Navagh to serve as the county’s next elections director, following the recent termination of former director Denay Harris.

Board members voted unanimously during their meeting on Tuesday to recommend Navagh for the position.

Navagh has served as interim deputy elections director since March, when Harris was placed on paid administrative leave. Harris was terminated last week by the State Board of Elections, which had received a petition from all five members of the New Hanover County Board of Elections on March 25th.

Navagh has worked with the New Hanover County Board of Elections for approximately one year and also holds the position of the county’s elections logistics coordinator.

Following the board’s vote, Navagh expressed appreciation for the opportunity and said he looks forward to continuing his work with election staff and poll workers across the county.

“I really appreciate the New Hanover County Board of Elections for this opportunity to be recommended as director,” Navagh said. “I look very much forward to continuing to work with the stellar staff that I’ve been able to work with here and continue to work with the hundreds of election officials that we work with here in the county. My goal in this role, if recommended by the State Board, is ultimately to continue to focus on the legitimacy and accessibility for our voters and also making sure that we run safe and effective elections for New Hanover County.”

The State Board of Elections will now consider the recommendation before making a final decision on the appointment. A timeline for that decision has not been announced.