BURKE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS 2128 SOUTH STERLING STREET-SUITE 100  MORGANTON NC 28655 TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2024 REGULAR MEETING  Attending: LH Kirksey, Sandi Walker, Beverly Carlton, Linda Walker, and Anthony lovino.  Staff; Kenny Rhyne  Guests: Carla Kincaid, Dot Williams, Alicia Connelly, and Barbara Myers.  Chairman LH Kirksey called the meeting to order at 10:00AM, led the Pledge of Allegiance,  followed by a moment of silence.  Public comments;  Carla Kincaid asked about the traffic flow problem at the Senior Center. This is an agenda item and will be discussed. She also asked if information on demographics of voters in the primary election was available. Staff will determine if this is possible to provide.  Barbara Myers thanked us for our work.  Chairman LH Kirksey made a motion to add discussion on the May second primary plan, discussion on the budget, the impact ofj job reclassification that affects the Board of Elections, a closed session to discuss a personnel matter, and approve the amended agenda as Beverly Carlton made a motion to approve the minutes of 2-13-2024 as presented. Beverly Carlton made a motion to approve the minutes of 2-20-2024 as presented. Beverly Carlton made a motion to approve the minutes of 2-27-2024 as presented. Linda Walker abstained due to absence. Remainder of board members approved. Beverly Carlton made a motion to approve the minutes of 3-05-2024 as presented.  presented. All approved. All approved. All approved.  All approved. Business:  Interim director Kenny Rhyne reported on the hand eye count held on 3-07-2024. The Senior Center early voting location and Icard 3 election day location were designated by the State Board of Elections for the count. 1693 ballots from the Senior Center and 355 from Icard 3 were hand counted and compared with the total from the DS 200 count. Kenny informed the board the election totals are reconciled with the exception of two ballots Stats on the turnout for the primary show lower numbers for the state, but they were up for There will be a second primary run off on May 14, 2024. The races are for State. Auditor and  The count was for the presidential candidates.  All votes balanced.  which have been identified and documented.  Burke County.    Lieutenant Governor on the Republican ticket. Early voting begins on. April 25, 2024 - May 11, 2024.  Discussion was held on early voting plans. Anthony lovino made a motion to designate the Burke County Board of Elections as the only early voting location, open 8-5 weekdays and Discussion was then held on the traffic flow problem at the Burke Senior Center. The problem is the railing along the walkway for the entrance to the polling location causes voters to walk through the campaign workers handing out literature for candidates. Kenny will look at the facility and talk with the director at the Senior Center and report to the board at the next The Board of Elections is part of the pay study the County is conducting. More info will be presented when it is finished. Classifications for job positions are being reduced from 3501 to There was discussion and questions on the progress of the budget planning for the next fiscal year. Kenny is still working on getting clearance and help from the County Finance Director on Anthony lovino made a motion to go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter at  8-3 on Sat. May 11, 2024. All approved.  regular meeting.  10.  access to this information. 11:16AM. All approved.  Chairman LH Kirksey called the open session back to order at 11:45AM.  Sandi Walker made a motion to approve the absentee ballot meeting/ election schedule for the second Republican Primary as presented by the Interim Director. All approved. Sandi Walker made a motion to have a closed session to discuss personnel matters  immediately after Canvass on 03-15-2024. All approved. Anthony lovino made a motion to adjourn at 11:59AM All approved.  Submitted by Sandi Walker, Secretary