The Richland County Board of Elections met Wednesday, March 6, to reorganize as required biannually.
Paulette Hankins, a Democrat, was unanimously appointed by the board members as Director of the Board. Jane Zimmermann was unanimously appointed as the Republican Deputy Director.
The staff members, Debbie Obenour, Democrat, Carrie Hill, Republican, Diana Naumoff, Democrat and Jen Dover, Republican, were reappointed as Election Specialists to two-year terms in their positions. Mrs. Obenour and Mrs. Hill are full-time staff employees, and Mrs. Naumoff and Mrs. Dover are permanent part-time employees.
Republican Bill Freytag was chosen unanimously by the Board members as the Chairman. The Chairman selected must be of the opposite political party of the Director. Mr. Freytag replaces Mr. Jeff Wilkinson, who retired as of February 28 after two terms on the Board and over 20 years as Deputy Director/Director of the Board.
Bill Freytag was recently appointed to serve as a member of the Board as selected by the Richland County Republican Party. Lydia J. Reid was recently chosen by the Richland County Democratic Party to serve a third term on the Board. The other two members of the Board are Democrat Joseph H. Mudra, who is currently serving his fourth term, and Karen Browning who is in her first term.
