The Clarendon County Board of Voter Registration and Elections held two meetings in January — one rescheduled from December due to the holidays and its regularly scheduled January meeting — addressing board vacancies, election preparation, and the hiring of a new director pending final county clearances.
The board met Jan. 6 for its December regularly scheduled meeting and again Monday, Jan. 26, for its January meeting, both at the Clarendon County Council Chambers.
During the Jan. 26 meeting, board members voted to hire “Candidate A” for the director position at an annual salary of $57,000, contingent upon completion of the hiring process through Clarendon County Administration, which includes a background check and drug screening. Gamble confirmed after the meeting that once this process is complete, the board will announce the hire.
The board approved the candidate by majority vote. Board member Michael Streath voted against the motion, while Secretary Andrea Killman abstained. Chairman Edward Gamble, Vice Chairman Brian Magaw, Mary Jo Ardis and Lanette Samuels-Cooper voted in favor.
DECEMBER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
At the Jan. 6 meeting, the board reviewed ongoing operational matters, including discussions on appropriate attire for poll managers and clerks and improvements to board workspace at the voter registration office on South Church Street.
Board members also discussed the need for additional election equipment cages for secure transport and storage and explored a potential partnership with the F.E. DuBose Career Center’s welding program to fabricate the cages, benefiting both the elections office and students in the program.
The board also took several actions following executive session at the Jan. 6 meeting, including authorizing the review and qualification of poll managers and approving the purchase of additional security devices for voting equipment.
JANUARY MEETING ACTIONS
During Monday’s meeting, the board approved several recommendations aimed at streamlining operations ahead of upcoming elections.
Board members adopted a policy requiring that any items board members wish to add to a monthly meeting agenda be submitted to the chairman and vice chairman by email or text no later than the preceding Wednesday before the meeting.
The board also approved an updated poll manager and poll clerk application. The revised form adds a question asking applicants whether they are related by blood or marriage to any elections office employee, board member, elected official or candidate in an upcoming Clarendon County election, and if so, to disclose the relationship.
In preparation for upcoming elections, the board voted to request the South Carolina State Election Commission conduct poll manager and poll clerk training on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Clarendon County Voter Registration office on South Church Street. Board members said holding the training in a single session would be more efficient for staff and participants.
The board also approved relocating a special called meeting scheduled for Mar. 12 from the county council chambers to the voter registration office. That meeting, if needed, will convene the Board of Canvassers to certify the Mar. 10 Clarendon County Council District 2 special election primary.
BOARD VACANCIES REMAIN
Three vacancies currently exist on the Board of Voter Registration and Elections.
Rebecca Battle-Bryant resigned last summer after accepting a state position. Kathryn Turbeville chose not to reapply when her term expired, and Mattie Johnson resigned for personal reasons, according to information presented to the board and reflected in county records.
Clarendon County residents interested in serving on the board may apply through the Clarendon County Legislative Delegation website at www.clarendoncountydelegation.com/apply-to-serve.
Applicants must reside in Clarendon County and complete an online application that includes basic information, a cover letter outlining their interest in serving, and at least three non-family references. County boards and commissions require applicants to be registered voters and at least 21 years old, though some positions carry additional qualifications. Applications are reviewed by the delegation, with selected candidates invited for interviews. Applicants not immediately appointed may be kept on file for future vacancies for up to two years.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Voter Registration and Elections is Feb. 23.
