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Columbus County elections board approves personnel salaries, reviews voter removals and OKs staff travel
Summary
The Columbus County Board of Elections approved salaries for the director and senior elections specialist for the 2026–2027 budget year after a closed-session discussion, reviewed a report showing 113 removed voters, and authorized travel for two staff members to an April conference.
The Columbus County Board of Elections on March 9 approved personnel salary decisions for the 2026–2027 budget year, reviewed a voter removals report and authorized staff to attend an April conference.
Chairwoman Jillian McPherson-Edge called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and the board completed routine business, including approval of the agenda and minutes for Feb. 9, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and March 2, 2026.
The board entered a closed session at 5:04 p.m. under North Carolina statute GS 143-318.11 to discuss personnel and budget matters. After returning to open session at 5:35 p.m., Member Lynn Fairfax moved and Member Wanda Brooks seconded a motion to accept the salaries discussed for the Director and Senior Elections Specialist for the 2026–2027 budget year; the motion passed. The minutes record the action but do not specify salary amounts.
In the Director’s report, Director Ashley Collins told the board that election staff removed 113 voter records from the rolls for the period Feb. 6 to March 6, 2026. Chairwoman McPherson-Edge suggested hosting one or two voter ID events during slower periods to help residents obtain identification for voting.
The board also approved a staff travel request for Director Ashley Collins and Senior Elections Specialist Felicia Brown to attend a conference at the Center for NC Politics & Public Service at Catawba College on April 13; the board approved travel on April 12 because the drive is approximately three hours. Member Lynn Fairfax moved to authorize the travel; Member Lynne Thompson seconded and the motion passed.
With all business conducted, Member Lynne Thompson moved to adjourn and the meeting ended at 5:45 p.m.
The minutes record the board’s decisions but provide limited detail about salary amounts and the specific next steps for implementing the 2026–2027 budgeted salaries. No public comments were offered during the public comment period.
