WILMINGTON – Melissa Gott, recently nominated by the Republican Party to fill a vacancy on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, has been removed from the county’s voter rolls.
During a Tuesday night hearing on a residency challenge that another voter filed against her, Gott’s attorney said his client did not want to take on what would likely be an arduous and invasive public process.
“To be clear, the challenge is frivolous,” John Ferrante, Gott’s attorney, told the county’s elections board at the outset of the hearing. Gott, he said, was not admitting any guilt with her withdrawal.
But it does mean she is no longer registered to vote in New Hanover County, elections board member Geneva B. Reid explained after the meeting.
The challenge against Gott, lodged by local tattoo artist and fellow Republican Justin LaNasa, contended Gott was not truly a resident of 602 Chestnut St. in Wilmington, the address claimed on her voter registration. Questions about her residency had surfaced after the New Hanover County Republican Party nominated her to fill an empty seat on the county commission (the seat remains vacant). Neighbors of the Chestnut Street address maintained Gott, an attorney, only used the property as her law office.
Gott, since the moment the questions surfaced, has insisted the address is her primary residence.
LaNasa, in his challenge, wanted to prove her true home was a northern Brunswick County property she and her husband own. LaNasa said he was prepared to submit to the elections board a sheaf of documents to back that claim. (See related story.)
Gott’s withdrawal of objection to the challenge meant the process did not play out.
“Smart,” LaNasa commented.
Though Gott is off the voter rolls, Ferrante noted she could not be disenfranchised and may ultimately reserve all constitutional rights, among them the right to vote.
Technically, Reid said, Gott could re-register to vote during the one-stop voting period that runs until Nov. 3. Reid clarified she did not know Gott and was not aware of any such intention.
Contact Ben Brown at ben.b@hometownwilmington.com or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
