CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A day after the North Carolina Values Coalition called for Rachel Hunt to not be sworn in Wednesday, she is now seated.

It comes despite allegations of absentee ballot irregularities in the razor thin Mecklenburg County race.

“I am thrilled to be here. I am here as a duly certified representative. I’m here to do the work of the people of District 103 of the state of North Carolina and I am extremely excited to have been sworn in,” said Hunt, who is the daughter of former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt.

Tami Fitzgerald , the executive director of the N.C. Values Coalition called on the North Carolina House Speaker to not seat Hunt as the House District 103 Representative. She says her group was looking into the ninth district scandal when they uncovered more than 300 absentee ballot irregularities.

FULL COVERAGE: North Carolina's 9th Congressional District

She even cited an April memo she said showed the state board instructed county board to overlook the state law requiring an absentee ballot voter sign their ballot in the presence of two witnesses and a notary.

The state board issued a statement late Tuesday saying the group’s allegations missed the mark and that, while a witness signature in front of a witness is required, the date is not.

Mecklenburg County Board of Elections director Michael Dickerson is on the receiving end of the allegations.

"I do not want to, oh well, you put down 12-8 and you should have put down 11-8. I don't want to deny that just somebody's right to vote just because they put down a wrong date, a discrepancy of that. That, to me, is much more reprehensible, to not allow, or not give that person their vote," he said.

The Values Coalition made posts on social media, imploring the legislature not to seat Hunt even saying they need more time to investigate the absentee irregularity allegations. Once she was seated, they ultimately tweeted that absentee ballot reform is needed in the state.

 

 

 

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