The Liberty County Board of Elections met in emergency session Monday, named an interim election supervisor and plunged into arrangements to improve elections and avoid recurrence of past problems.

Veteran election supervisor Ella Golden has retired after a 45-year career of government service and Ronda Walthour, deputy registrar and senior elections assistant, was named to the job for the interim. 

Walthour’s selection was unanimous.

County Administrator Joey Brown, County Attorney Kelly Davis and County Commissioner Marion Stephens were among a group of officials and workers who began planning for improved future elections. 

Changed election practices will get a sort of dry run August 11 as Democratic contenders for the First District Congressional seat held by Republican Rep. Buddy Carter. Democrats Lisa Ring and Joyce Grigg compete for their party’s nomination.

The runoff will allow officials to work some of the kinks in a small, one-race vote before facing the major election in November.

Safe electric cables in polling places, placement of voting machines, inspection of polls and training of poll workers were among concerns addressed Monday. Linda Martin, chairman of the board of elections, pointed out that voting machine placement needs to provide for the poll workers’ duty to see that voters are not photographing, copying or damaging the machines.

The next meeting of the board of elections is set for July 27. Besides Martin the members include Russell Wells, Vickie Cook, John McIver, Benjamin O’Neal, McKesson Stafford and Stephanie Woods. 

Email Parker at joeparkerjr@hotmail.com.