Ballard was named at a special Election Commission meeting May 20.
After receiving a letter from the State Budget and Control Board calling the districting problems in the county a “train wreck waiting to happen,” the county Election Commission removed director Debbie Gardner from the job in April.
The state Election Commission sent Betty Whiteside, a retired election official from York County, to man the post through the primaries.
After interviewing several potentials, the commission chose a candidate with experience in Real Estate, who worked as county assessor for 18 years, as its new engineer on the voter's election and registration train.
Election Commission chairman Donald Sellers said, “Personally, I think he'll do a good job.”
Interim director Betty Whiteside, who will remain through election primaries to train Ballard, cautioned that while his understanding of the county is a definite plus, he would have to go through a complex learning process with regards to election laws.
“Election officials are as scarce as hen's teeth,” she said. “He has a lot of things to learn and I'm sure he'll get the job done.”
More than 10,000 voters do not have physical addresses and may not be registered in the correct district. Registered voters with Rural Route or P.O. Box addresses must fill out physical address forms on Election Day June 13, at the polls or prior at the new Voter Registration Office.
The “physical” address for the office is 416 West Blvd. in Chesterfield. It is located in the shopping center at the corner of West Boulevard, next to the Hospice Sunshine Shoppe.
Gale Baker may be reached at galebaker@thecherawchronicle.com
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