MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS REGULAR SESSION Board of Elections Conference Room Wednesday,January 11,2017 3:001 PM  MINUTES CALLTOORDER  Chair Smathers called the meeting of the Madison County Board of Elections to order at: 3:04 p.m. at the Board of Elections Conference Room. In attendance were 3 members ofthe public; Dyatt F. Smathers, Chair; Rayl Lewis, Secretary; Jerry Wallin, Member; Wade Gahagan, Deputy Director; and Kathy Ray, Director.  AGENDA  Moved, Seconded (RL, JW)and Carried (3,0) to set the agenda. The Director requested adding the Certified Elections Registration Administrators (CERA) training under New Business and a discussion of Voter  Registrations and 1861 Old Murray Road under Other Matters.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Moved, Seconded (RL,JW) and Carried (3,0) to approve the May 11,2016 meeting minutes.  Member Wallin commented that the minutes from the December 14, 20161 meeting contained a citizen's comment that may be taken out of context and misinterpreted to mean that all three board members did not conduct board business in an impartial manner. The Chair acknowledged Member Wallin'si input and expressed that thei intent of the citizen's comment was to express her satisfaction with the impartial actions of the current county board of elections even though its  membership was determined by political party affiliation and recommendation.  Moved, Seconded (JW, RL) and Carried (3,0) to approve the December 14, 2016 meetings minutes.  CHAIR'S REPORT  Chair Smathers commented that the uncertainty surrounding recent legislative actions and judges' rulings regarding North Carolina elections laws has presented planning challenges for 2017 election activities. He added that the Statel Board of Elections will need toj provide guidance before the local board of elections can move forward with discussions about The Chair complimented the office staff for the office running so smoothly and the Board fori its collegial decision The Chair finalized his report by responding to fielded concerns regarding the gridlock in decision-making that could result from bi-partisan four member boards ofe elections. He referenced how the current three member board had successfully reached compromises to obtain the required unanimous votes to avoid having to submit proposals and/or plans to the State Board of Elections for resolution, and that he felt that al bi-partisan board would act likewise to achieve  voting equipment replacement.  making.  the required majority votes. MEMBERS' REPORT Board of] Elections.  Secretary Lewis affirmed The Chair's comments and indicated we were waiting on further instructions from the State  Page 1 of3    Member Wallin commented that the current Board has worked well together to make the best decisions for the county and Chair Smathers expressed his opinion that the recent changes to election lawsand technology advancements aret taking  voters.  politics out oft the elections business. DIRECTOR'S REPORT OLD BUSINESS  The December 31, 2016 budget and expenditure report was presented and discussed.  Discussion ensued regarding voting equipment needs. Deputy Director Gahagan supplied the Board with data on voting equipment currently in use across the state. The voting equipment discussion will continue at the February gth meeting.  NEW BUSINESS  Thel Director presented a breakdown oft training costs for all State Board of Elections and Certified Elections Registration Administrators (CERA)t trainings through July 2017. The cost projections for CERA trainings include expenses for the Moved, Seconded (DS, RL) and Carried (3,0) to approve thel February, May,a and July Certified Elections Registration Administrator (CERA) trainings for Director! Kathy Ray and Deputy Director Wade Gahagan and for' Temporary Office. Assistant Jacob Ray to cover the Board of Elections office during all SBOE and CERA trainings. Excess funds int the salaries temporary, professional services, office supplies, and capital equipment linei items willl be shifted to travel and training related line items to cover SBOE and CERA training workshop expenses for the The Chair read State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Patrick Gannon' s. January 5, 2017 email statement that the merger between the State Board of Elections and State Ethics Commission is off for now, as are any changes to  Deputy Director to begin the certification program.  remainder oft the fiscal year.  the makeup of county boards, pending the outcome ofthe Cooper VS. Berger court case.  OTHER MATTERS  A discussion ensued regarding voter registrations at 1861 Old Murray Road and e911 residential address assignments. The Board asked thel Director to follow up with e911 regarding the need for a residential address for a home on a tract of  property adjacent to 1861 Old Murray Road.  CITIZEN COMMENTS  A citizen expressed concern that voting equipment vendors willl be able to meet the supply and demand ofs states and A citizen expressed her concern about the state legislature'st ruling to disband the current composition ofthe Board of Elections and make ita a four member bi-partisan board. She emphasized that gridlock between political parties could The Chair stated for the record, "Member Wallin as a senior member oft the board has been kind to the other party people here and aj pleasure to work with. Wel have disagreed occasionally, but we have never been disagreeable."  counties that are replacing voting equipment.  occur on decisions such as determining early voting sites.  ANNOUNCEMENTS  Page 2 of3    The next Board of] Elections meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2017. Moved, Seconded (RL,JW)and Carried (3,0) to adjourn at 4:15B.M.  atksn Baey Ebus  Kathy Ray, Director Ray Lewis, Segretary  Dyatt Smathers, Chairman SE  Page 3 of3