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Commissioners Receive Request for New Elections Director To Start Working Early

By Jesse Wood

At its meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners will hear a request for County Elections Director Jane Ann Hodges’ successor to start about two weeks early in order to ensure a smooth transition.

In a June 10 letter to County Manager Deron Geouque, Luke Eggers, chair of the Watauga County Board of Elections, made the request, according to information in tomorrow’s meeting packet.

Snyder
Snyder

“Due to the timing of Ms. Hodges retirement and the upcoming municipal elections, I would like to ensure a smooth transition in the workings of the Board of Elections office,” Eggers wrote. “The filing period for the 2016 municipal elections begins July 6, and with the July 4th holiday, Mr. Snyder would be limited to two working days in the office prior to the start of the municipal filing period if he were to begin work on July 1.”

Eggers wrote that by starting earlier, Snyder would have more opportunity to learn about the preparations for municipal elections and coordinate with staff as the filing period begins.

The candidate-filing period runs from Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 17.

In January, Hodges acknowledged that she would be retiring at the end of June after working nearly 30 years as the county’s election director.