NC officials investigating Anson County election concerns after 2nd director leaves
The North Carolina State Board of Elections has opened an investigation into the Anson County Board of Elections after the local elections director resigned this week, alleging security problems, inadequate staffing and a lack of county support during her three months on the job.
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State officials confirmed Friday they are investigating the claims raised by former director Neva Helms, including concerns about building security, election administration and a tense encounter at the Anson County Board of Elections office Tuesday that prompted her resignation. The agency has also sent staff to Anson County to help run the elections office while the county searches for new leadership.
“We are investigating the claims in Miss Helms’ letter,” Jason Tyson, director of external affairs for the State Board of Elections, told The Charlotte Observer. “Some of those we were aware of. … There’s some things in there that are concerning to us.”
Tyson said investigators are interviewing witnesses, reviewing security footage and coordinating with the Anson County Sheriff’s Office, which responded to the office Tuesday after a confrontation between Helms and others.
The resignation marks the second time this year Anson County has lost an elections director, leaving the office without permanent leadership as preparations continue for this fall’s elections. Helms succeeded Sherry Melton, who was removed earlier this year after the Anson County Board of Elections petitioned the state to remove her over alleged election administration failures and ballot security issues.
In a two-page resignation letter submitted Tuesday, Helms wrote that she accepted the position after leaving a 13-year career in state government but encountered conditions she described as “unsafe, unsupported, and incompatible” with the job. She said her salary was reduced twice within days of being hired, that she lacked adequate staffing and training, and that she had concerns about security at the elections office.
Among her allegations, Helms wrote that an unauthorized person accessed the elections building after hours, that restricted areas could be unlocked using a cell phone and that she had concerns about who had access to the building’s security camera system. She also raised concerns about missing GIS voting-boundary information that she said complicated election administration.
In an interview with The Charlotte Observer, Helms said Tuesday’s confrontation was the culmination of months of frustration, though she emphasized that no one threatened her.
The encounter began when Anson County commissioner candidate Kevin Adams came to the Board of Elections office with questions related to his candidacy, she said. According to Helms, Wadesboro Mayor Pro Tem Garrett Snuggs and a third individual later joined the discussion, and the conversation became increasingly heated.
“They were accusing me of things that I did not do, like trying to remove him from the ballot,” Helms said. “I repeatedly asked for the voices to be lowered and to calm down.”
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Helms said she eventually called the sheriff because she was alone in the office and growing increasingly nervous.
“I was not threatened,” she said. “It’s just the voices kept, you know, getting raised. … I’m by myself, so I was nervous.”
According to Helms, a deputy responded after she requested assistance. She said the situation had begun to calm by the time law enforcement arrived and that Snuggs apologized before those involved left the office.
Ultimately, Helms said the confrontation convinced her it was time to leave a job she had hoped would become a long-term career. As she recalled deciding to resign, Helms’ grew emotional.
“I just thought, “you know what? I think it’s time for me to go now,’” she said. “It’s obvious nobody wants me here.”
Helms said she enjoyed learning the role, had grown attached to the office and said there were “good people” she met during her time with the county.
“I really liked the job,” she said. “I loved what I was learning.”
Tyson said the State Board believes the county’s elections remain secure and that voters should not be concerned. He said the agency expects Anson County to have permanent elections staff in place before November’s election.
“We definitely have a good handle on the situation,” he said. “The community there can know that the building’s open. We have staff there present.”
The Charlotte Observer has also requested comment from Anson County officials and the Anson County Sheriff’s Office. Adams did not respond to requests for comment Friday.
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