State board dismisses 4 complaints against New Hanover elections chair

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The State Board of Elections today discussed and dismissed four election complaints filed about concerns in New Hanover County.

Three people filed the complaints about what they called behavior and instability at the county board level, state Elections Chair Joshua Howard said via teleconference. Howard said the behaviors, while concerning, did not violate any standards within the state board’s jurisdiction.

Some complaints, which brought up the behavior of New Hanover County Board of Elections Chair John Ferrante, talked about things said and policies changed. Howard said Ferrante was named as a person who threatened someone during a meeting, but that issue was more of an issue for a district attorney, not the board.

Two of the complaints were dismissed unanimously. State board member Maja Kricker objected to the dismissal of two other complaints. Kricker said some of the complaints seem to show Ferrante was acting unilaterally, and that is illegal.

“I said early on when the complaints were filed… that the complaints were frivolous,” Ferrante said, “and I think I’ve been vindicated by the State Board of Elections.”

On the concerns brought up by Kricker, Ferrante said the board can’t know in depth what goes on in every county they oversee in the state.

“I think they [the concerns] arise out a lack of knowledge…they have 100 counties to oversee,” Ferrante said. “The resolution that that one member you referenced was talking about was a resolution that was approved by a majority of the board, and the purpose of that resolution was to protect the employees. I felt it was our obligation as a good employer…to project employees.”