Appling County commissioners accept election supervisor resignation, appoint interim and authorize testing contract

The Appling County Board of Commissioners on an apparent unanimous vote accepted the resignation of Deshaun McCarter as election supervisor, appointed Sandy Dunham as interim election supervisor, directed staff to advertise the open position until filled, and authorized the chairman to enter into a professional-services agreement for logic-and-accuracy testing.

The action came after a county staff member relayed recommendations from the county election board. The board voted to accept McCarter’s resignation and to name Dunham interim election supervisor; commissioners also approved advertising the permanent election supervisor position “until filled.” Commissioners then approved the chairman to sign a contract for logic-and-accuracy testing and related services that was discussed during the meeting. The amount mentioned in the audio was quoted as “$93.50,” but meeting materials were not provided at the time and that figure could not be independently confirmed from the transcript.

Why it matters: changes in election-office leadership and the county’s contract for testing can affect administration of upcoming elections, certification and training of local election staff, and the county’s readiness on election days. Commissioners discussed that the testing and training would help certify staff and cover election-day supervision functions, and they noted a role for the Secretary of State liaison in coordination.

Details of the actions: a county staff presenter said the recommendation came from the election board and asked the commissioners to accept McCarter’s resignation and to name Dunham interim election supervisor. Commissioners moved and seconded the motions and the proposals passed with no recorded opposition. Commissioners also approved advertising the vacancy and a motion authorizing the chairman to sign a contract for “logic and accuracy” testing and on-site training. During the discussion, a commissioner noted that the testing “will get our people certified” and that election-day supervision is covered, while the Secretary of State liaison’s participation was described as separate and unpaid.

Administrative status: the board clarified in the meeting that, while Dunham will serve as interim election supervisor at the recommendation of the election board, she will operate under the board of commissioners as an acting department head while interim.

What was not specified: the meeting transcript did not include the full text of the professional-services contract, a contract number, or detailed cost breakdowns in county materials; the dollar amount quoted aloud in the recording appears as “$93.50,” which may be a transcription artifact. The transcript also did not specify who moved or seconded each motion in every case by full name; commissioners recorded the final votes as unanimous.

Next steps: the board directed staff to advertise the election supervisor vacancy until filled and authorized the chairman to finalize the agreement for logic-and-accuracy testing, subject to whatever contract review the chairman and staff require.