It looks like Attorney Sean Keenan has used his position as an attorney to violate the NC Laws himself. You'd think an attorney would know better than to do that !

Election season in North Carolina can be intense, and sometimes, candidates find themselves facing legal challenges. As your candidate for Kinston City Council, I believe in transparency and want to keep you informed about the process, the law, and what’s happening in my own campaign.

What Is an Election Protest—and When Can It Be Filed?

An election protest is a formal challenge to the conduct or results of an election. North Carolina law is clear:

• An election protest can only be filed after the election has taken place and after the canvass (official certification of results) is completed.

• The protest must be filed within 2 business days after the canvass.

If someone has concerns about a candidate’s eligibility or qualifications before the election, the correct legal process is a candidate challenge. This must be filed within 10 business days after the candidate filing period closes.

Can a Candidate Continue Campaigning During a Protest?

Yes. If an election protest is filed after the election, the candidate can continue to campaign, fundraise, and participate in all campaign activities while the protest is pending. The law protects a candidate’s right to run until a final decision is made by the board of elections or a court.

What Happens If a Protest Is Filed Too Late or Too Early?

• Too Late: If a protest or challenge is filed after the legal deadline, the board of elections will dismiss it without review. The protestor loses the right to have their concerns formally considered, and the certified election results will stand.

• Too Early: If someone tries to file an election protest before the election, it will not be accepted, as the law only allows such protests after the election and canvass.

• 
  

A Real Example: Attorney Sean Keenan’s Premature Protest

On September 19, Attorney Sean Keenan filed what he called an “election protest” against my candidacy, even though the election isn’t until November 4. Here’s why this action does not meet North Carolina’s legal requirements:

• Wrong Type of Filing: An election protest cannot be filed before the election and canvass. If the issue is about a candidate’s eligibility, it must be a candidate challenge, not an election protest.

• 
  

• Missed Deadline: The deadline to file a candidate challenge is 10 business days after the candidate filing period closes. By filing on September 19—nearly two months after the deadline—Attorney Keenan missed the legal window for challenging my candidacy.

• 
  

• Legal Consequence: Because the protest was filed both too early (as an election protest) and too late (as a candidate challenge), it does not meet the requirements set by North Carolina election law and should be dismissed by the board of elections.

• 
  

References:

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-127.2(b) (candidate challenge deadline)

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-182.9 (election protest timing)

• 
  

My Commitment to You

As a candidate, I want you to know that if an election protest is filed against me, I will continue my campaign and keep fighting for the people of Kinston while the process unfolds. The law protects my right to run until a final decision is made, and I remain committed to transparency, integrity, and serving our community. I appreciate your support and promise to keep you informed every step of the way.

Key Takeaways

• Election protests can only be filed after the election and canvass.

• Candidate challenges must be filed within 10 business days after the filing period closes.

• Filing too early or too late means the protest or challenge will be dismissed.

• I will continue to campaign and serve the people of Kinston, following the law and upholding the values of fairness and transparency.

Thank you for standing with me and for your continued support as we work to make Kinston strong again—one person, one project at a time.