Madison County Board of Elections Meeting Minutes - Regular Session  July18, 2023  The Madison County Board of Elections held their regularlys scheduled meeting on Tuesday. July 18, 2023, at Suite E, Room: 16, 5707 US 25-70 Hwy, Marshall, 28753. In attendance: Jerry' Wallin, Chair; Ray Lewis, Secretary; Dyatt Smathers, Member; Brian Ball, Member; Debbie Ponder, Member; Jacob Ray, Director; The Honorable Larry Leake, Retired District  Court. Judge; and three members of the public.  Call to Order:  Chair Wallin called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.  Minutes:  Motion (RL, DS) to approve. June 21st meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed (4-0).  Members' Report: Senate Bill 749. New Business:  Member Smathers presented al letter sent by Bob Hall and discussed the letter that addressed Senate Bill 747 and  Motion (DS,JW) to pass a resolution that the voters of the Beech Glen Precinct that lie within the Town of Mars Hill Municipality be temporarily transferred, for the purpose of voting, to the Mars Hill Precinct fort the 2023 Municipal  Election. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  Motion (DS, JW) to pass a resolution that the voters oft the South Marshall Precinct that lie within the Town of Marshall Municipality bet temporarily transferred, fort the purpose of voting, to the North Marshall Precinct for the 2023 Municipal Motion (DS,JW) that the voters of the Hot Springs Precinct that lie within the Town of Hot Springs Municipality be transterred, for the purpose of voting, to thel Hot Springs Community Center, 43 Andrews Avenue N, Hot Springs, NCfor Motion (DS, JW) that the voters oft the North Marshall Precinct that lie within the Town of Marshall Municipality be transferred, for the purpose of voting, to Marshall Housing Authority, 630 North Main! Street, Marshall, NCi for the 2023  Election. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  the 2023 Municipal Election. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  Municipal Election. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).    Motion (DS, JW) that the voters oft the South Marshall Precinct that lie within the Town of Marshall Municipality be transferred, fort the purpose ofv voting, to Marshall Housing Authority, 630 North Main! Street, Marshall, NCI for the 2023 Motion (DS, JW) that the voters oft the Beech Glen Precinct that lie within the Town of Mars Hill Municipality. be transferred, for the purpose of voting, to the Mars Hill Public Library, 25 Library Street, Mars Hill, NCf fort the 2023 Motion (DS,JW) that the voters of the Mars Hill Precinct that lie within the Town of Mars Hilll Municipality be transferred, for the purpose of voting, to the Mars Hill Public Library, 251 Library! Street, Mars Hill, NC1 fori the 2023  Municipal Election. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  Municipal Election. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  Municipal Election. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  Public Comment:  Cheryl Williams complemented the board on their willingness to work together and their hard work.  Paula Dempsey, Madison County Democraticl Party Chair, introduced herself tot thel board and spoke about the learning  experience as a party chair. Oath of Office Board Members & Chair:  Jerry' Wallin, upon appointment by the Governor, was sworn to fillt the position of Chair of the Board of Elections. The Dyatt Smathers, upon appointment byt the State Board of Elections, was sworn to fill al Board Member's position. The Ray Lewis, upon appointment byt the State Board of Elections, was: sworn toi fill a Board Member's position. The Brian Ball, upon appointment by the State Board of Elections, was: sworn to fill al Board Member's position. The Deborah Ponder, upon appointment by the State Board of Elections, was sworn toi fill al Board Member's position. The  Honorable Judge Larry Leake administered Jerry' Wallin's oath of office. Honorable Judge Larry! Leake administered Dyatt Smathers's oath of office. Honorable. Judge Larry! Leake administered Ray Lew'so oath of office. Honorable Judge Larry Leake administered Brian Ball's oath of office. Honorable. Judge Larry Leake administered Deborah Ponder's oath of office.  Election of Board Secretary: appointment.  Motion (DS,JW) to have Ray Lewis serve as Secretary. The motion passed (4-0). However, Mr. Lewis declined the Motion (BB, JW) to have Dyatt Smathers serve as Secretary. The motion passed unanimously (5-0). Motion (DS,JW) to enter executive session to discuss personnel. The motion passed unanimously (5-0.)  Other Matters:  Motion (DS, BB) to suspend, until further notice, advertising and accepting applications for the position of Deputy  Director. The motion passed unanimously (5-0.)    Adjournment:  Motion (DS, DP) to adjourn at 1:05 p.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).  Announcement:  Next regularly scheduled meeting: August 22, 2023 at 3:00, p.m.  Chair  ad  Secretary_ Aafbe