May 10, 2022 Meeting Minutes  The meeting was called to order on May 10, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cumberland County  Board of Elections by the Chair. Present: Helen Nelson - Chair  Billy King Member James Baker Member  Linda Devore Member Irene Grimes Secretary  Staff:  Angela Amaro, Vicki Hilburn, Mitzie Roberts  Guests: Amanda Turnmire, Sandra Walker, Peter Apone, Harlan Devore, Jeremey Reinoehl, Donna Davis, Jackie Warner, Charles Ferguson, Matthew Davis, Joy Potts, Bobby Swilley, Brooke Hunter, Bree Eldridge, Susan Chapman, Nina Morton, John Zimmerman, Kim Zimmerman, Amy Cannon, Susan Mills, Mildred Bowl, Shamike Bethea, Diane Wheatley, Rudy ACTION: Member Grimes moves that the Board Move item IX. (Invocation Policy) on the  Smart, AnnMarie Swilley  agenda forward and place it atV. Second: Member Devore Vote: Unanimous ini favor  PUBLIC COMMENT: (each speaker has 1min. 15 sec.)  Gail Morfesis, 404 Valley Road, Fayetteville, NC - advocates for prayer. Glad we are still Andy Morfesis, 404 Valley Road, Fayetteville, NC -I is a physician and states that it is a well known fact that people who believe in a higher being live longer and are happier. People who don'twant to participate in prayer can just stand and don't have to participate. Roberta Waddle, 3941 Gainey Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 - You have the most important job ino conducting our elections and are responsible for protecting our democracy. Never had occasion to question the integrity of our elections in Cumberland County. Urges to continue to have a drama free election process and be kind to particularly absentee voters as getting two Donna Davis, 7653 Spurge Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311 - Please keep the invocation; just do Ron Ross, 6542 Celestial Pine Drive, Hope mills, NC 28348 - No prayer is the wrong direction  saying the pledge of allegiance.  signatures can be a challenge.  it. to take.  Cumberland County Board of Elections, May 10, 2022  Page 1of5    Shamika Bethea, 1919 Woodsworth Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304 - America is aj judo Christian nation; it is because of Christian God that we won wars; the first congress opened with a Bobby Swilley, 18904 Nantucket Court, Fayetteville, NC-la am a previous board member of Efrain dela Cruz, 240 Sommertime Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28303 Mindboggled that he has to discuss prayer. Iti is a fact that this is a Christian country, that is just a fact. Surprised why the Michael Morrison, 1045 Rim Road, 28314 - keep prayer; everyone in this area has a faith and Diane Wheatley, 9774 Ramsey Street, Linden, NC - Has served this community for 30 years Bear Dewberry, 2115 B Street (?), - served 23 years in the military, believes in God but it is not his decision for others. Amoment of silence is appropriate because it allows him to pray but Susan Mills, 4158 Bent Grass Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28312. - Country was founded on Christian values; prayer needs to be part of the meeting. Consider rotating different ministers. J.Antoine Miner, 4020 Baywood Point Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28312- - recites bible verses. Member Devore suggests that the responsibility for prayer be rotated (as it is done in other county/city entities). References Hope Mills' ministerial council and also thinks that the 15 Member King asks how we got here and how the word got out that we are doing away with the Chair Nelson explains that this Board has been holding a moment of silence as the invocation since this Board was sworn in. Chair Nelson clarifies that she was not the person that asked Member Grimes says that she is uncomfortable with public prayer and that people following their faith is a positive. But public christian praying within the context of a government meeting isi inappropriate and unfair. Agrees with the speaker that said we need to get out of the God business; our business are elections. Another speaker referenced the inclusive nature of their town (Hope Mills) but for the past ten years their invocation have been done by Christian clergy 100% of the time and 85% of the time they were done by the same six pastors. Calling people of different denominations is not inclusive; inclusive is calling people of different faiths. Surpised at Member Devore's insistence, since the member is also an attorney. Suggests that  prayer and continue that spiritual heritage.  this Board and has always started with a prayer. (Recites Lord's Prayer).  media is not here looking over this meeting.  we need to keep prayer.  and all boards open their meetings with a prayer to a higher power.  does not force others to.  Prayer is an intricate part. (Recites bible verses).  churches that are precincts can be invited to give the invocation.  invocation.  that the invocation be removed.  Cumberland County Board of Elections, May 10, 2022  Page 2of5    ar moment of silence satisfies the constitution and is inclusive. Another Board that Member Grimes sits on does not start their meetings with a prayer and that whether other county boards do is irrelevant since they do not govern us. Member Grimes proposes that everyone follows their faith ritual individually before they enter the room before the meeting. Member Baker remarks that the Commissioners' policy sounds like a good, common sense policy and inquires whether the county attorney validated that policy. Member King says he assumes that the policy was vetted by the county attorney but he does Member Devore offers a document from the UNC School of Government; discusses prayer in government meetings and recommends that members of the community be included. Member ACTION: Member Devore moves to.adopt a constitutionally compliant policy for invocation as the first item on the agenda of each meeting of this Board specifically, following the practice of the County Commissioners whereby members rotate the responsibility for either offering an invocation ori inviting a clergy from the community. Staff would remind members when it is their turn ini the rotation at least three days before a meeting and a member may decline and staff  not know; we could check.  King remarks that he thinks that that is what makes it ok.  may move to the next member in the rotation.  Member King recommends that there be consultation with the County Attorney.  Member Devore agrees. Second: Member Baker  Vote: 3/1/1 (in favor: King, Devore, Baker; opposed: Grimes; Abstain: Nelson)  Interim Director Amaro informs.  Discussion among the Board members on invocation.  Staff member Hilburn reports that there are 62 absentee ballots that were returned (60 military, 1 civilian, 1 overseas). Chair Nelson inquires if the staff saw any issues with any of the returned ballots. Staff member Hilburn recommends approval. Board members spot check the ACTION: Member Grimes moves to approve the 62 absentee ballots as recommended by  envelopes. staff.  Second: Member Devore Vote: Unanimous in favor.  Interim Director Amaro reports that logic and accuracy testing on all machines has been  completed.  Cumberland County Board ofE Elections, May 10, 2022  Page 3of5    ACTION: Member Grimes moves that machines that will be used for this election be certified.  Second: Member Baker Vote: Unanimous in favor  ACTION: Member Grimes moves that the minutes of the April 12, 2022 (regular & absentee),  and the April 19, 26 and May 3, 2022 (absentee) meetings.  Second: Member Devore Vote: Unanimous in favor.  Interim Director Amaro presents a precinct official list for appointment, noting that 15 precincts are out of compliance as to precinct officials assigned to work in them (meaning that the statute requires that the precinct officials working in a precinct should be from that precinct but that we have many that are working out of precinct due to a shortage of workers). ACTION: Member Grimes moves that we appoint the precinct officials as recommended by  staff.  Second: Member King Vote: Unanimous in favor DS200 to 130. ballots at early voting. Adjournment Motion: Member Grimes Second: Member Baker Submitted by, de Bg  The 62 ballots were entered into the tabulator, bringing the total absentee ballot count on the Interim Director reports that from the last meeting (3pm) to today (3pm) 3946 voters cast their  Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 6:01 p.m.  Dundhulbo Helen Nelson, Chair  h James H.E Baker, Member  Cumberland County Board of Elections, May 10, 2022  Page 40 of5    LimlM Lindal Devore, Member  Billy King,  AREyPLAr  Cumberland County Board of Elections, May 10, 2022  Page 5of5