Elections appeals won’t be heard until Dec. 9

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Board of Elections’ schedule to hear appeals of election challenges could mean the New Hanover County Commission may have to move forward next week with its current makeup.

NC Board of Elections spokesman Josh Lawson say the state board will hear appeals Dec. 9. That could include a protest by Chris Anderson of New Hanover County concerning the handling of sample ballots at a Wilmington polling place during the Nov. 4 race. The New Hanover County Board of Elections denied Anderson’s protest last week, but Chair John Ferrante said Anderson appealed Friday to the state board.

Late this afternoon Lawson said the state board had not received Anderson’s protest, but that he has until today to submit it or postmark it.

By law county commissions must pick their new leadership by the first Monday in December, but with the election in New Hanover County still not certified, top vote getters Skip Watkins and Rob Zapple cannot be sworn in Monday. That means the commission will have to move forward with its current membership, which includes outgoing Tom Wolfe and Brian Berger. The chair and vice chair will likely be chose from among continuing members Woody White, Beth Dawson and Jonathan Barfield.