by Leah Justice
With a just a little over two months until the November election, Polk County Board of Elections Director Tracy Waters resigned.
Waters sent an email to board of elections chair David Moore on Monday asking for the board to accept her resignation effective immediately.
Moore said he wants to assure the citizens of Polk County that this election will go through just fine. The board of elections has called a closed session meeting for Thursday, Aug. 28 at the board of elections office at 5 p.m. for the purpose of a personnel matter.
Moore said the board also has a regular meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 2, which may also require a session and the board will continue to meet as necessary.
The state has offered if Polk County decides they need it, for a retired board of elections director to step in if necessary.
Waters was hired in 2013 replacing former director Dale Edwards who retired on Feb. 28, 2013 after 31 years as Polk’s election director.
Waters formerly worked as the administrative assistant for the Polk County Transportation Authority from 2002 until she took the elections director position.
The county board of elections recommends candidates for the director position with the state board of elections giving final approval.
This year’s election is gearing up with Sept. 5 being the first day absentee by mail begins. The last day to register to vote or change voter affiliation is Oct. 10 and one-stop, or early voting begins Oct. 23 and ends on Nov. 1.
The general election, where Polk County voters will choose candidates for county commissioner, sheriff, board of education members and the clerk of court as well as some state, national and judge positions.
The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4.