The Rowan County Board of Elections has dismissed an effort to remove Democratic candidate Laura Lyerly from the November ballot.
The board considered the protest filed by Salisbury attorney James “Pete” Hoffman during a special meeting this morning.
Hoffman contended that her guilty plea to an embezzlement charge in 1998 makes her ineligible to be a candidate for or to hold public office under the state constitution.
She received a prayer for judgment continued.
The board agreed with Lyerly’s attorney, Dick Huffman, that the prayer for judgment continued is not a conviction under state law.
Board members John Steele and Jonnette J. Powell voted to dismiss the complaint.
Hoffman said he will file an appeal to the State Board of Elections.