Alan Longman, a Bond-level resident, told the Harnett County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 that he will file a complaint with the state over how the county Board of Elections handled a recent primary residency challenge. "I don't understand how they were advised on the legal aspects of the challenge," Longman said during the public comment period, adding he believed the board did not receive proper legal advice and citing "indiscrepancies" observed in the prior weeks.

The board heard the complaint during its public comment time and asked County Manager Brent Trout to update members. Trout told commissioners that the Board of Elections met on Friday at 2 p.m. to hear the challenge and "made a decision to dismiss the challenge," saying the residency submission was determined to be correct. "If there's anything further, I'll let you know," Trout added.

Why it matters: challenges to candidate residency can affect ballot access and public confidence in local election administration. Longman said he would pursue a state complaint, while county staff reported the elections board concluded its review in favor of the candidate.

What was said and what happens next: Longman framed his concern as a legal-advice issue and a question of nonpartisanship, telling commissioners the decision "has to be challenged." Trout's reported outcome for the elections board was that the challenge was dismissed; he said he would provide additional information if new developments arise. Longman did not describe specific evidence on the record beyond the assertion of recent discrepancies.

The board took no immediate formal action on the public comment beyond requesting the manager provide updates; commissioners moved on to routine agenda items. A state-level review or complaint, if filed by Longman, would proceed under the State Board of Elections' processes and timelines.