At noon on Tuesday, July 22, board members were sworn in for the 2025-2027 term at the Cleveland County Board of Elections. Returning members H. Allen Langley (R), Mary Accor (D), Ali Paksoy (D), and Mary Grace Keller (R) were joined by new Chairman, J. Ronnie Whetstine (R). Whetstine replaces former Chairman Douglas Sharp (D), who served on the board for 12 years.
The two-year terms began on Tuesday and will end on July 19, 2027, per NC Session Law 2024-57. The State Board of Elections appoints four members (2 Democrats, 2 Republicans) from a list provided by the political parties having the highest number of registered affiliates. The Chair is appointed by the State Auditor, Dave Boliek. Not more than three members of the Board of Elections shall be members of the same political party.
The Cleveland County Board of Elections oversees all elections in Cleveland County including those for the fifteen municipalities in the county. The Board operates under the general supervision of the State Board of Elections and has quasi-judicial and policy-making authority over all aspects of elections and voter registration in Cleveland County.
The principal functions of the office include voter registration, candidate filing, establishing election precincts and voting sites, appointing and training precinct officials, preparing and distributing ballots, maintaining voting equipment, canvassing and certifying the ballots cast in Cleveland County, candidate campaign finance compliance, and providing public information on elections and voting procedures.