A story in last week’s Messenger about the resignation of Putnam County Elections Supervisor Lynne Laseter incorrectly stated the chairman of the five-member board of elections, Charles Patten, also served as chairman of the county’s Republican Party.
Under state law setting up the board of elections, the board’s chairman could not hold a leadership position in a party affiliation. The local Democratic and Republican parties both appoint members to the board, but the chairman must break any 2-2 votes. When Patten was chosen chairman of the elections board, he retained his identity as a Republican, but duly resigned any leadership position in the local party.
The Messenger apologizes for the error and any confusion created.