SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Republican Dana Varnam hopes to secure the office for Brunswick County Register of Deeds.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
The position was formerly held by Brenda Clemmons, who did not file for re-election and instead is retiring. Varnam has served as her assistant.
Varnam faces off against Democratic candidate Acquinetta Rochelle Beatty; the answers to her candidate questionnaire are below.
A few items to consider first: Absentee ballots are already being mailed and early voting opened in mid-October. Locations in Brunswick County include:
- Government Center Location: Brunswick County Cooperative Extension: 25 Referendum Drive NE, Building N, Bolivia
- Leland Cultural Arts Center: 1212 Magnolia Village Way, Leland
- Oak Island Moose Lodge: 4239 Long Beach Road SE, Southport
- Brunswick Center at Supply: 101 Stone Chimney Road SE, Supply
- Brunswick Center at Shallotte: 3620 Express Drive, Shallotte
- Sunset Beach Community Center: 200 Station Trail, Sunset Beach
Voters will be able to cast ballots at any of the above places and can register to vote beforehand; see all early-voting hours here.
Election Day is Nov. 5, with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. All voters will have to go to their precinct to cast a ballot, as shown on their voter registry.
An ID must be presented to cast a ballot in the election. Acceptable forms of ID include NC drivers license or state ID, U.S. passport, college or student university ID, some state employee IDs and out-of-state drivers license or ID, as long as voter registration was done within 90 days of the election. IDs not in good standing can be expired by one year or less.
Port City Daily has compiled candidate questionnaires so voters can read up on contenders’ stances before heading to the polls this election season. All answers have been edited only for clarity; the candidates’ opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
The paywall is dropped on profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election.
Port City Daily (PCD): Why do you want to run for Register of Deeds and what in your professional history qualifies you for this position?
Dana Varnam (DV): I have worked in the Register of Deeds office for over twenty-two years and have advanced from Deputy to Assistant and currently act as the office Fiscal Technician, Payroll Clerk, and Recording Supervisor. The office was the first Register of Deeds in the state to be a passport acceptance facility that I helped implement. I am currently an Acceptance Agent and Passport Facility Manager and have also completed the School for Register of Deeds and Basic Register of Deeds School for Experienced Personnel at the Institute of Government, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
I have a comprehensive understanding of the Registrar’s duties and have received certification and training in every area of the office. I possess the knowledge and am especially prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead for our rapidly expanding population. I have done my best to graciously meet the needs of our customers, whether they are attorneys, the business community, or the public. Having been born and raised in this area, I deeply care about preserving our past while looking forward to a promising future.
PCD: What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the county’s register of deeds office?
DV: The rapid growth occurring in this county is one of the most important issues we face as a community. Our county is the fastest growing in the state and the Register of Deeds office is directly involved as we record vital records and real estate transactions.
I will work to continue safeguarding the records and assisting the public in accessing them in the most efficient way possible. Also implementing applicable technology and services that are beneficial to the public and staff while improving the current work environment. I will always have an open-door policy for the public to inform me of their concerns, what we are doing right and what we can do better. I look forward to these challenges.
PCD: The Register of Deeds races don’t get as much attention as other races. Why do you believe this office is important to the public?
DV: The Register of Deeds is the custodian of documents such as deeds, deeds of trust and surveys as we record all real estate documents, births, and deaths as these events occur in our county. The office also issues marriage licenses, oaths for notary commissions, military discharges, and provides certified copies. Our office was one of the first in the state to provide on-line access to public records. These records are available within minutes of recording at no extra cost to the public. The Register of Deeds has the responsibility to follow the law while working closely with county departments, state offices, and businesses in the area. The staff strives to meet the needs of the public in a courteous, timely, and efficient manner while upholding these laws.
PCD: How would you prevent fraudulent transactions and safeguard property rights?
DV: Several years ago, the Brunswick County Register of Deeds office implemented a free fraud alert system. The system alerts a property owner if a document has been recorded. Fraud alerts will not stop documents from being recorded, but it notifies the property owner if anything is recorded that involves their name.
Under North Carolina law, the Register of Deeds is statutorily obligated to accept and immediately record documents in conformity to general statutes. The office must stay on top of the advancement in technology and be fiscally responsible to our citizens for this issue. Checks and balances, excellence in day-to-day operations, safeguarding the integrity of public records, and financial stewardship are steps towards this.
PCD: Would you recommend any changes to local policy or state laws regarding the maintenance, validation, and transparency of property records?
DV: The Register of Deeds is bound by limitations under North Carolina law but I would give my expertise and voice as much as possible to protect the property records of Brunswick County.
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