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The Dare County Election Board has trimmed four percent from the proposed 2020-21 operating budget. The action was taken after the county manager asked departments to look for cuts in the face of possible revenue losses due to the COVID-19 crisis.

A total of $7,000 was cut out of the proposed budget. The Election Board, in a telephone meeting, trimmed $1,000 from requested machine rental fees, $2,000 from poll worker expenses and $4,000 from the advertising budget. After the cuts, the board’s revised funding request stands at $366,029.

The board was informed by the election director that Judy Lotas, who was appointed to the Dare County Board of Elections by the State Board of Elections, would need to take the oath of office in person. Lotas, a Democrat from Duck, replaces Virginia Tillett, who resigned. Lotas is expected to be sworn in while practicing social distancing rules, although it was unclear how and when that would happen.

Before adjournment, Michele Barnes, director of Elections, told the board they should be mindful that in the face of the coronavirus health crisis, it is unknown if changes will be made by the state board in how people vote. She said voter turnout for the fall election is projected to be high and at this point, election procedures are unchanged from previous years.

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