Public Invited to Observe State Board of Elections Remote Meeting Jan. 20

The State Board of Elections held a remote meeting via WebEx at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and made the session available for public observation online and by phone. The meeting agenda included a statement regarding ethics and conflicts of interest under G.S. § 138A-15(e) and consideration of an appeal of a candidate challenge in the case of Knight of Wilson County under G.S. § 163-127.6.

Members of the public were able to join the meeting online at ncgov.webex.com or by phone at (415) 655-0003 using access code 2436 125 3727# and passcode NCSBE (62723# when joining via phone). Meeting materials were posted to the State Board's meeting folder as they became available, allowing residents and local officials to review documents tied to the agenda items.

The Knight appeal is a procedural matter with practical consequences for local ballots and candidate status. Under G.S. § 163-127.6, the State Board has authority to resolve challenges to candidate filings and to rule on qualifications that determine whether a name appears on a ballot. Decisions in such appeals can alter the options voters have in county and legislative contests and can affect the timeline for ballot printing and absentee ballot distribution.

Ethics statements and conflict-of-interest disclosures filed under G.S. § 138A-15(e) help maintain public trust in election administration by clarifying whether board members or staff have interests that could influence official actions. For Wake County residents, transparent handling of ethics and candidate appeals by the State Board affects confidence in election outcomes and the perceived fairness of the process.

For follow-up and records, contact the North Carolina State Board of Elections at P.O. Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255; email elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov; or call (919) 814-0700. The board’s meeting folder contains agenda packets and any supplemental materials posted before or after the session.

What comes next for readers is review and verification: check the State Board meeting folder for minutes or a recorded meeting to learn the Board’s rulings on the Knight appeal and the ethics statement, and contact the State Board using the provided information if you need official records or clarification on how any decisions may affect Wake County ballots and upcoming elections.