Fmr. elections director asks board to reconsider firing

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After Wednesday’s decision to terminate New Hanover County Board of Elections Director Marvin McFadyen, the now former director asked the State Board of Elections to reconsider the decision.

In a letter filed Sunday to State Board of Elections Chairman Josh Howard, McFadyen said he is appealing the decision. McFadyen said Executive Director Kim Strach recused herself from making a decision to Deputy Director Amy Strange; McFadyen says that decision doesn’t fall under the authority of a state law.

According to the state board of elections, Strach recused her decision due to a personal relationship she had with McFadyen more than a decade ago. The spokesperson for the board said she chose to recuse herself to avoid any appearance of a conflict, even though she could have rendered an impartial decision.

The state board of elections now has 20 days from the date of the decision whether to decide to defer the firing.