Rocky Mount NC - Nash County expands search for elections director

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 11:49 PM

Posted in Politics Nash Co.

by DCN

Nash County has taken its search for a new elections director beyond its borders.

The Nash County Board of Elections initially wanted to keep the search in-house, but has extended the hunt to . . . (Source Rocky Mount Telegram)

C. Dancy II - TPA Opinion: Now this makes sense especially with a crucial election year this year. I commend this board for trying to find someone who has experience because voting is something that does not need to be taken for granted. There should not be room for error simply due to hiring someone who has no experience or very limited experience.

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Saturday, January 26, 2008 - Nash County Elections Director

The real shame is that there is a vacancy at all in this position. Tracy Reams was was offered over $20,000 more than her Nash County salary for the same position in Orange County. If her salary had been raised somewhere close to the Orange Co. offer she would have stayed, but Nash Co. classified the job as clerical and refused to give anything but a tiny raise. Reams is one of the most expereinced elections directors in the state and knew the laws in and out. The job of Elections Director is not a clerical job. Approximately 1/2 the counties in the state have had or have vacancies in this position, so it is very difficult to find someone with experience who will take the low pay. The staff of the Board of Elections and the precinct judges and workers can tell you how much she will be missed. Pray that the vacancy can be filled quickly with someone ready to hit the ground running- absentee voting begins March 11 and voter registration is heavy right now.
Posted by Anonymous

Saturday, January 26, 2008 - In re: Tracy will be missed

C. Dancy II - TPAThe real shame is that there is a vacancy at all in this position.

(I agree.) TPA

Tracy Reams was was offered over $20,000 more than her Nash County salary for the same position in Orange County.

(I didn't know that, however I don't blame anyone for moving on to make more money. I am happy for her.) TPA

If her salary had been raised somewhere close to the Orange Co. offer she would have stayed, but Nash Co. classified the job as clerical and refused to give anything but a tiny raise.

(Now if that is true, that is sad.) TPA

Reams is one of the most expereinced elections directors in the state and knew the laws in and out.

(I know she has been onboard for many years because I remember that name and I was in her presence on several ocassions. I have had gone by the the Nash Office on one or more ocassions to either pick up or drop off some registrations. I have called over there also.) TPA

The job of Elections Director is not a clerical job. Approximately 1/2 the counties in the state have had or have vacancies in this position, so it is very difficult to find someone with experience who will take the low pay.

(I agree.) TPA

The staff of the Board of Elections and the precinct judges and workers can tell you how much she will be missed.

(I can imagine from my knowing of her and with my involvement with politics. Our former Director Gail Hudson used to call Tracy's name quite frequently.) TPA

Pray that the vacancy can be filled quickly with someone ready to hit the ground running- absentee voting begins March 11 and voter registration is heavy right now.

(I totally agree. I am following this one closely to see how it unfolds. I hope the board do not make a bad decision like Edgecombe and put someone in who had no experience.) TPA

Edited by curmilus on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Posted by C. Dancy II - TPA