MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS Board of Elections Conference Room  ABSENTEE SESSION January 30, 2024 3:00 P.M.  MINUTES CALL TO ORDER  Chair Wallin called the meeting of the Madison County Board of Elections to order at 3:00 p.m. In attendance were Jerry" Wallin, Chair; Dyatt Smathers, Secretary; Brian Ball, Member; Debbie Ponder,  Member; Jacob Ray, Director; and one member of the public.  Agenda:  Motion (DS, BB) to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  Members Reports:  Secretary Smathers reported on the North Carolina State Board of Elections/North Carolina Emergency Management tabletop exercise that he attended with the director at the Sheriff's office.  Discussion ensued about Board of Elections emergency planning.  Director's Report: No director's report.  Preparatory Steps to Count Ballots:  The voting equipment was not opened during this Absentee Meeting. Absentee Ballots' Approval for January 30, 2024, Meeting:  NEW BUSINESS  Civilian (CIV) Ballots:  Hot Springs Precinct: Motion (DS, JW) to approve, one CIV Absentee Ballot. The motion passed  unanimously (4-0). BALLOT DUPLICATION No ballots were duplicated.  PREPARATORY STEPS TO SECURE COUNTED BALLOTS The voting equipment was not opened during this Absentee Meeting.  Page 1of2    Other Matters: (4-0).  Motion (DS, BB) to approve the following poll-workers as presented. The motion passed unanimously  Beech Early Voting Site: Linda Campbell Terry Hopkins Laurie Pedersen Cheryl! Williams  Election Day:  Cheryl Williams Democrat Assistant at Ebbs Chapel. Terry Hopkins Democrat Assistant at Sandy Mush.  Public Comment:  Cheryl Williams complimented the Board on their thorough Absentee Board Meeting procedures.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Next Absentee Meeting: Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 11:15a.m. Motion to adjourn at 3:55 p.m. (DS, BB) and motion carried (4-0)  Chair V, Secretary  Page 2 of2