Public records requests filed by the News & Observer and WRAL show that Granville County Board of Elections members were coached on what to say and how to vote during a heated board meeting deciding early voting plans for the upcoming election.
The records obtained show that the former Granville County Republican Party Chairman Mike Magnanti sent over 150 texts to Republican board members to defend their vote against two polling places in Oxford and Creedmoor, locations that advocates say would serve the Black and Hispanic residents of the county, who make up a majority of the population in the area.
The state’s public records law reads that public officials may not destroy any documents deemed public records. When the News & Observer first reported on this, the two Republican members, Debby Butler and Douglas Smith, said they had deleted the text messages from that meeting. Butler, who called the texts “nothing evil,” was later able to retrieve the texts, whereas Smith stated he was unable to successfully retrieve his deleted texts.
Magnanti sent over 150 text messages to Butler during the meeting. The resignation of the board’s chair left Butler, the board’s secretary, to lead the proceedings. Magnanti claimed that his intention was only to help guide Butler through the meeting, citing her lack of experience in leading meetings, especially when faced with protestors.
The texts show Magnanti guiding Butler, with one text stating, “Debby, you can say we are not going to agree… Say it. We do not agree.”
More text shows Magnanti providing continuous instruction: “Don’t engage with the audience,” “Interrupt her.”
At one point, Butler seems to protest texting, stating, “I can’t do this” and “I want to give in.”
Several texts show Magnanti encouraging Butler to stay the course: “Debby Please”……“Yes you can. You’re almost there”
The texts were first made known after local photographer Cole Rodger took pictures of Magnanti’s phone during the board meeting. The matter was then covered by the County Beacon Franklin-Granville, but the photos did not show the entire conversation.
The News & Observer published an article following their public records request, which you can read here.
Though Smith was unable to retrieve his deleted texts, photos captured during the meeting by Rodger show Magnanti communicating with Smith.
With texts saying, “Doug please no more comments,” Magnanti said. “Please do not make or 2nd a motion. Please mute your phone.”
Though the Republican-controlled Granville County elections board rejected a proposal for the early voting sites in both Oxford and Creedmoor, the North Carolina State Board of Elections ruled over the county board opening a site in Creedmoor.
The county has four early voting sites, according to the board of elections website:
- Granville County Convention and Expo Center (4185 US Highway 15, Oxford)
- South Branch Library (1550 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor)
- Tar River Elementary School (2642 Philo White Road, Franklinton)
- Stovall Branch Library (300 Main Street, Stovall)
