CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (July 22, 2025) – Newly appointed members of the Carteret County Board of Elections were sworn in Tuesday to begin their two-year terms.
Clerk of Court Ken Raper administered the oaths at the Board of Elections office in Beaufort. Republican appointees Jeanette Deese, Dale Gillikin, and Barbara Ann Smith joined Democratic appointees Susan Cuthrell and Gerald Godette to form the five-member board.
Deese, who previously served as the Board of Elections secretary, was appointed to serve as chair by State Auditor Dave Boliek as part of a statewide set of appointments announced on June 24, 2025. During its organizational meeting, the board unanimously elected Susan Cuthrell as the new secretary.
Under state law, each political party in the county submits three recommendations to the State Board of Elections. The State Board appoints two members from each party to form a four-member board. The State Auditor selects the fifth member to serve as chair.
County boards of elections are responsible for administering local elections, operating polling sites, maintaining voter registration lists, appointing election officials, and certifying results. Board members may not publicly advocate for political causes or run for elected office during their service.
The newly seated board will serve through July 2027. Planning is already underway for the November 2025 municipal elections.
For more information about the Carteret County Board of Elections, visit www.carteretcountync.gov/434/Board-of-Elections.
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