By Sarah Nagem
snagem@salisburypost.com
Laura Lyerly can remain on the November ballot as a Democratic candidate for the Rowan County Commission despite a felony in her past, the State Board of Elections decided today.
The state board in Raleigh upheld last month’s decision by the Rowan County Board of Elections. That board also said that Lyerly’s prayer for judgment continued for a 1998 felony embezzlement charge does not make her ineligible to run for office.
Lyerly has said that she was working a summer job at Kmart that year and had let a customer pass through her checkout line without paying.
Larry Leake, chairman of the State Board of Elections, said during the hearing today that he doesn’t think a prayer for judgment continued “continues indefinitely.”
Salisbury attorney James “Pete” Hoffman filed a protest last month, questioning Lyerly’s place on the ballot. After the hearing today, Hoffman said he was disappointed with the board’s decision but he’s not giving up.
Hoffman said he will file an appeal in Wake County Superior Court and also file a protest with the Rowan County Board of Elections to question Lyerly’s right to vote.
Lyerly did not attend the meeting in Raleigh. Her attorney, Richard Huffman, represented her there.
For more on this story, check out Saturday’s edition of the Salisbury Post or continue to visit the Web site for updates.