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Davie County elections director outlines staffing and security measures ahead of primary
Summary
Elections director Melissa Parker told the board the office trained more than 165 election officials for 2024, expects about 150 staff for the upcoming primary and described voting equipment, absentee trends and security practices.
Melissa Parker, director of the Davie County board of elections, told the Board of Commissioners the elections office is ramping up for the March primary and needs poll workers and logistics support.
Parker said the board of elections is a five-member bipartisan board and described staffing: two full-time employees, three assistants and seasonal precinct officials. She reported 1,628 absentee-by-mail requests were mailed in 2024, with 986 returned (a majority of absentee voters then voting early in person) and said early-voting turnout in 2024 set local records. "The board of elections is where your democracy starts," Parker said, outlining training, equipment and accessibility measures (ExpressVote machines, DS200 tabulators, curbside voting and services for blind and visually impaired voters).
Security and process details: Parker described logic-and-accuracy testing, multiple proofing steps for ballots, use of certified equipment that is not connected to the internet, and daily checks of absentee processing to prevent double voting. She also noted procedures for vote canvass and state-mandated post-election sample audits.
Call for workers and transparency: Parker asked residents to sign up as paid precinct officials and noted the office will publish schedule and location details on the elections website. She also thanked local volunteer-fire stations and other partners for allowing use of facilities during early voting.
