In a news release, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice announced that former Goldsboro City Councilman and mayoral candidate Bevan Foster would appeal a decision handed down Tuesday by the Wayne County Board of Elections.
The board voted 3-2 to accept allegations made by city resident Zachary Lilly that Foster did not reside in District 3 and was, as a result, not eligible to run for the county Board of Commissioners District 3 seat in the March Democratic Primary he won.
Jeff Loperfido, the SCSJ’s Senior Counsel for Voting Rights, said he was disappointed with the board’s decision — that he had provided “considerable proof” that Foster lived in District 3.
“We provided considerable proof that Bevan Foster does indeed live in the district he was elected to represent and are incredibly disappointed that the majority of the Wayne County Board of Elections chose to place the concerns of one individual above both the extensive evidence presented and the will of the voters,” Loperfido said. “North Carolina has an unfortunate history of challenging the lawful elections of candidates of color or placing undue scrutiny upon them when they take office. We must continue to fight for every voice to be heard, not just at the polls on Election Day, but in guaranteeing that leaders of color are able to serve when lawfully elected.”
The appeal will send the matter back to the State Board of Elections, the body that overturned the local board’s June decision to dismiss the election protest and required county officials to hold Tuesday’s evidentiary hearing.
According to the protest filed by Linda Harper, Joy Brown and Zachary Lilly — it was later determined that Lilly is the only valid protestor, as Harper and Brown are registered Republicans and had no valid stake in the contest — Foster does not live at 610 Devereaux Street and was, rather, a landlord.
Foster claims that he purchased the home with the intention of elevating the neighborhood by renovating the property, and said that while he did not sleep there because of conflicts with one of his roommates, it was his permanent residence.
