Cherokee County commissioners reappoint two local election-board members in 3–1 vote

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on May 20 reappointed John Wallace and Julie Glade to two-year terms on the county Board of Elections, voting 3–1 to confirm the incumbents.

The matter came before the board after the county received the two-party nominations required by state law; both parties had submitted candidate lists. Commissioner Wetherbee initially moved to nominate John Wallace and Joe Happy, arguing the elections board should reflect the county’s partisan turnout. That motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioner Carter then moved to reappoint John Wallace and Julie Glade; Commissioner Ragsdale seconded. The motion carried 3–1, with Wetherbee recorded as the lone nay.

The reappointments were presented during the commission business portion of the meeting. The chair noted the annual requirement that two of the four locally appointed members have terms expire each year and said the county had received the party nominations the law requires. Commissioner Wetherbee said he favored appointments that matched recent voting patterns: “I still am of the belief that the Board of Elections should represent voting public. Approximately 75% of the votes cast were Republican,” he said, arguing for proportional representation. Commissioners Carter and Ragsdale said the local elections board should serve as neutral referees of the process and supported reappointing the incumbents.

The board’s action restores Wallace and Glade to two-year terms. No further conditions or appeal steps were stated at the meeting.