Challenge Hearing in Macon County Disqualifies Candidate for Highlands Board of Commissioners

**note** The previous title was changed to more accurately reflect that one of the members of the quasi-judicial panel was a member of the Jackson County Board of Elections.

PRESS RELEASE (08-21-2023)

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS HELD A CANDIDATE CHALLENGE HEARING TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2023 AT 10:00 AM AT THE MACON COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOARD ROOM.

THE CHALLENGE WAS AGAINST OVERTON TUCKER CHAMBERS.

THE CHALLENGER WAS DEREK TAYLOR-REPRESENTING HIGHLANDS FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT.

THE CHALLENGE AGAINST MR. CHAMBERS QUESTIONED HIS RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. TO QUALIFY TO  RUN FOR A MUNICIPAL ELECTION SEAT YOU MUST LIVE INSIDE THE MUNICIPALITY, INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.

THE PANEL CHOSEN BY THE NCSBE INCLUDED CHAIRMAN KATHY TINSLEY, VICE CHAIRMAN GARY DILLS, MEMBER JOHN VANHOOK, MEMBER JEFF GILLETTE, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS KIRK STEPHENS.

THE PANEL HEARD THE EVIDENCE FROM BOTH PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE CHALLENGE.

THE PANEL VOTED UNNAMOUSLY TO UPHOLD THE CHALLENGE AGAINST MR. CHAMBERS.

THEREFORE MR. CHAMBERS WILL NOT BE QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR THE SEAT OF COMMISSIONER IN HIGHLANDS.

MELANIE THIBAULT DIRECTOR

End Press Release

Macon Media streamed the hearing live on Facebook. The livestream has been embedded below in the public interest.