by Elissa Yount
Ruth Hartness was elected to the Vance County School Board by a clear majority at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room in the Court House on Wednesday.
A representative from the Democratic Party explained the procedure. Ballots were marked and signed so that there would be no secret ballots. It was explained who was eligible to vote.
Elected officials, whether elected in a non-partisan election or along party lines, and who reside in District 7, could participate in the voting.
The vote by the Precinct Chairman of South Henderson 1 counted 3.5 times and the vote by the Precinct Chairman of West Henderson 1 counted 6 times provided they lived in School Board District 7 as they represented proportionally the voters in their precincts.
There was a quorum present and a large majority of eligible voters were in attendance.
County Commissioner Scott Hughes asked if this was a final decision or could this vote be challenged. It was explained that any vote could be challenged if grounds were found. The vote was counted in an annex room with at least four poll watchers overseeing the tally. The ballots were sealed and the outcome was to be reported to the Democratic Headquarters.