Elections Director
New Hanover County, located on the North Carolina coast with a population of over 240,000 and approximately 183,400 registered voters, is seeking an Elections Director to become part of a dynamic, professional county organization with a clear vision as a vibrant, prosperous, diverse coastal community, committed to building a sustainable future for generations to come. The Elections Director will be responsible for planning and directing overall operations of the office of the New Hanover County Board of Elections in the preparation for and execution of all federal, state, and municipal elections in New Hanover County. The next Director will possess extensive knowledge of electoral procedures and policies as set forth in the NC General Statutes and will demonstrate critical thinking skills along with analytical and problem-solving abilities.
At fewer than 200 square miles, New Hanover is the 2nd smallest of the 100 North Carolina counties, but one of the most densely populated. In addition to being a great place in which to live, New Hanover County is a great place in which to do business. Tourism, film production, healthcare, the service and retail sectors are the engines that power its economy. New Hanover County is committed to progressive public policy, superior service, courteous contact, judicious exercise of authority, and sound fiscal management to meet the needs and concerns of our citizens today and tomorrow. To serve the citizens of this progressive regional urban center, New Hanover County operates under a county-wide strategic plan guided by a clear vision, mission, and a set of shared values that shape how decisions are made. These shared values are professionalism, equity, integrity, innovation, stewardship, and accountability.
Key responsibilities:
• Plan, direct, and oversee all operations of the New Hanover County Board of Elections Office, including voter registration, records management, absentee ballot procedures, candidacy filing, poll worker recruitment and training, equipment maintenance, and the administration of early voting and Election Day activities.
• Ensure full compliance with all election laws, policies, and procedures as established by the North Carolina General Statutes and the State Board of Elections.
• Recruit, train, and supervise full-time staff, temporary workers, and volunteers, fostering a professional, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
• Provide administrative and operational support to the Board of Elections, including making recommendations and preparing agendas, ballots, reports, and meeting materials.
• Manage voter education and registration drive programs in cooperation with candidates, political parties, and civic organizations.
• Obtain legal opinions and advise on various election procedures.
• Communicate and interact with candidates, political parties, civic organizations, the media, and the general public, and represent the Elections department as a non-partisan position promoting understanding, confidence, and trust in the electoral process.
• Administer department operations, including monitoring polling place accessibility, preparing voting machines, maintaining maps of all precincts, and making recommendations via the County Board of Elections to the State Board of Elections regarding precinct boundaries.
• Report unofficial election results to media, and assists the Board with canvassing official results.
• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and technical improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
• Prepare and manage the departmental budget, oversee expenditures, and coordinate contracts for election services and equipment.
• Lead strategic initiatives to enhance voter accessibility, leverage technology, and expand community engagement and voter education efforts.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the North Carolina State Board of Elections, county departments, municipalities, and other agencies on election-related matters.
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