Election Protest Statement – Kinston, NC Municipal Election

To Whom It May Concern,

I am formally filing this protest regarding the integrity of the recent Kinston municipal election. The conduct observed during both early voting and Election Day raises serious concerns about fairness, compliance with election law, and the protection of voters’ rights. These violations undermine confidence in the democratic process and demand corrective action, including consideration of a re‑election.

1. Untimely and Improper Protest Filed Against My Campaign

• A protest was filed against me in a manner that was both untimely and procedurally improper.

• Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163‑127.2, a challenge to a candidate must be filed no later than 10 business days after the close of the filing period. Instead, what should have been a candidate challenge was improperly converted into an election protest before the election had even begun.

• Despite the clear procedural defect, the Board allowed this protest to be stayed rather than dismissed outright, thereby legitimizing an action that should never have been entertained. And causing a public smear to my campaign

• Attorney Sean Keenan played a central role in advancing this protest. In his own protest against candidate Lipford, Mr. Keenan even referenced personal VA loan information — material that is not public record and should never have been introduced into an election proceeding.

• The inclusion of such private information demonstrates a troubling misuse of position and raises serious concerns about the ethical standards applied in these protests.

  
  

2. Residency Concerns Regarding Candidate Ashley Kornegay

• Candidate Ashley Kornegay publicly announced that she moved to Kinston from Wayne County at the beginning of this year.

• Residency requirements under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163‑57 define residence for voting and candidacy purposes. A candidate must be a resident of the municipality for at least six months prior to filing for office.

• The exact date of her move is therefore crucial to determining eligibility.

• The address listed on her filing, 1702 Apt B Colgate Drive, raises serious questions. There is concern that this address reflects a fabricated lease agreement generated by a constituent who manages the property.

• If this is the case, then her residency claim is not valid, and her eligibility to run must be formally verified.

  
  

3. Residency and Tax Jurisdiction Concerns Regarding Candidate Milton Foster

• Property tax records for Milton Foster in Lenoir County list his primary residence as 2542 Olde Dutch Court, Kinston, NC.

• However, this property is recorded under the LaGrange Fire District tax area, raising serious questions about whether his residency is properly aligned with the jurisdiction in which he filed to run.

• This discrepancy must be investigated thoroughly by the Board of Elections and, as has been done with other candidates, by the Kinston Police Department to ensure compliance with residency and eligibility requirements.

  
  

4. Improper Conduct by Poll Workers

• Numerous voters reported being treated with disrespect and hostility by poll workers.

• At the Teachers Memorial site, poll worker Mr. Charles verbally confronted a voter, Mrs. Donya Olds, accusing her of being affiliated with a campaign simply because of her presence near individuals wearing campaign shirts. Mrs. Olds was not affiliated with any campaign workers and had only come to exercise her right to vote.

• At the library polling site, multiple voters exited visibly upset, citing rude treatment by poll workers based on the campaign materials they carried.

  
  

5. Violation of Polling Rules by Candidates and Supporters

• There were repeated line‑crossing violations by candidates and their supporters, which can be substantiated by testimony from multiple witnesses.

• Candidates and campaign workers were observed running up to voters’ cars, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and aggression.

• On Election Day at the Holloway site, I personally experienced this violation when approached aggressively before I could exit my vehicle.

  
  

6. False Complaints to Obstruct Voter Services

• It was reported that certain candidates and their workers made daily calls reporting false complaints to election officials.

• These complaints were designed to hinder and discourage other candidates from providing services such as food and refreshments, which were intended to be a blessing to all voters regardless of political affiliation.

• Such actions reflect a deliberate attempt to weaponize the complaint process to obstruct goodwill efforts and create hostility rather than fostering a welcoming environment for voters.

  
  

7. Atmosphere of Intimidation

• Voters reported feeling threatened and aggressively handled at multiple polling locations.

• Such conduct is a direct violation of election protocols designed to ensure voters can cast their ballots freely and without interference.

8. Inaccurate Voter Database Allowing Ineligible Voting

• It has been reported that individuals who were on probation and individuals who did not reside within the Kinston municipal area were nevertheless permitted to vote.

• This occurred due to the Board of Elections database not being accurate or properly updated, which allowed ineligible voters to cast ballots.

• I can personally attest to this failure: I myself am listed as a registered voter in Kinston despite the fact that I am not legally allowed to vote due to being on unsupervised probation.

• While on active probation, I was nevertheless permitted to register to vote and obtain a voter card, which should not have been possible under state law.

• This personal experience secures the fact that the Board of Elections database is not accurate and is failing to properly screen voter eligibility.

• Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163‑82.14, the Board of Elections is required to maintain and update voter registration records to ensure accuracy. Allowing individuals on probation or outside the municipality to register and receive voter cards is a direct violation of this duty and further undermines the integrity of the election.

  
  

Final Conclusion

The cumulative issues — improper protests against my candidacy, questionable residency filings by multiple candidates, misconduct by poll workers, violations by candidates and supporters, false complaints designed to obstruct voter services, an atmosphere of intimidation, and the allowance of ineligible voting due to inaccurate voter databases (including my own improper registration while on probation) — demonstrate a systemic failure in the administration of this election.

The Board of Elections has a duty to uphold the law and protect the integrity of the democratic process. When rules are ignored or selectively enforced, public trust is eroded. For these reasons, I respectfully demand a full investigation into these violations and call for a re‑election to restore confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of Kinston’s municipal elections.

Respectfully submitted,  

Quarla Blackwell

quarlablackwell@gamail.com

252-939-0534