Michael Ball

The primary focus of the meeting was the consideration and approval of absentee ballots. Discussions included confirming the security seal number on the V drive and the scanner count. The board reviewed and approved numerous civilian absentee ballots, including those with photo ID exception forms, and one instance where the ID documentation was inside the ballot envelope. A total of 100 civilian ballots were approved in the first batch. The process for handling ballots where witnesses did not sign resulted in one ballot being disapproved. Further discussion covered handling mismatched ballot numbers mailed to the same address. The board also discussed the procedures for handling ballots that have not been returned by the upcoming deadline and reviewed the schedule for subsequent election day absentee ballot consideration meetings.

The meeting focused on processing and approving absentee ballots. Key procedural discussions included confirming the seal number for the previous meeting's drive, verifying the current count of ballots, and addressing specific ballot acceptance procedures, such as handling overseas ballots and those requiring duplication or having photo ID exceptions. The board approved various batches of ballots, including civilian, overseas, and those requiring curing. A significant discussion involved a request from a board member to review irregular ballot registration applications from a previous period due to media inquiry and referral to the state board, which the board agreed to facilitate by reviewing the folder next week. The session concluded with announcements regarding the schedule for upcoming mandatory meetings, including provisional and absentee ballot meetings and canvassing dates.

The meeting involved administrative updates regarding the 2026 elections, noting the deadline for requesting absentee ballots and providing information on daily turnout updates available online. A significant portion of the discussion centered on investigations by the state board of elections concerning voter registration drive misconduct from 2024, clarifying that the local office was not under investigation but had reported concerns regarding forms with missing or inaccurate information. The board also addressed a mailing from the state board to older registered voters seeking missing identification numbers (Driver's License or last four of SSN) for list maintenance, confirming that failure to provide this information would not prevent them from voting. Key actions included the approval of 45 absentee ballots (39 civilian and 5 accepted exception ballots), the approval of three ballots requiring board review after cure, and the approval for staff to open one ballot received in a sealed return envelope but without a ballot envelope, contingent upon verifying identification details. Discussions were also held regarding the state board of elections potentially buying new equipment and updates on early voting turnout being slower than expected for a midterm primary.

The meeting involved a preliminary hearing for a voter challenge filed against Trevor Mo, initiated due to information suggesting a felony conviction. After presenting evidence that the conviction was a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania and consulting with the county attorney, the board voted to dismiss the challenge. The second agenda item was a hearing for a voter challenge filed by Michael Fley against the registration of Lorie Smith and Richard F. Smith Jr. The hearing included administering oaths and discussing residency qualifications, focusing on Mr. Smith's long-standing connection to Holden Beach as his primary residence and intent to return there. The discussion covered Mr. Smith's career in the school bus industry and details regarding his property ownership and estate planning related to Holden Beach.

The meeting focused on the consideration of absentee ballots. Discussions involved the process for handling 62 ballots, including approvals for 55 recommended ballots, two overseas military ballots requiring duplication, and four accepted civilian exceptions related to photo ID forms. The board also reviewed and approved specific ballots requiring board review, such as those with curable deficiencies (unreadable photo IDs) and those where ballot documentation was found inside the return envelope, necessitating staff to open the envelopes under board authorization. One civilian ballot was recommended for disapproval due to incomplete witness information, resulting in the ballot being spoiled and a new one issued. The board confirmed the schedule for election day, noting that the meeting would convene at 5:00 p.m., and absentee ballot counting would not commence early at 2 p.m. as discussed previously.