The N.C. State Board of Elections, during its meeting Dec. 20, will consider possibly removing Delma Blinson from the Beaufort County Board of Elections.

The board received a complaint that Blinson violated a state law — specifically, General Statue 163-39 — that forbids elections officials from making “written or oral statements intended for general distribution or dissemination to the public at large supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates for public office.”

Blinson declined to comment before the meeting, preferring to wait to comment until after it.

The state board learned of the alleged violation by way of an email from Chocowinity resident William Buonanno. State board staff investigated the complaint. In a letter to Blinson, the state board wrote that as a result of the investigation, it appears the following facts have been established:

“You and others were in attendance at a Beaufort County Tea Party meeting on 10/12/13. You made a motion that was brought before the meeting to endorse a candidate for the 2014 Republican U.S. Senate nomination, Greg Brannon. Your motion received a second, and it passed. As a result, the Beaufort County Tea Party is on record, based upon your motion, that they are endorsing Mr. Brannon.

“We understand from a person at the meeting that you wanted to recommend Brannon ‘as he (you) though he (Brannon) was the best candidate.’ Beaufort County Republican Party Chairman Kidwell confirmed to our agency that he recalled your motion, second and the vote upon it. Chairman Kidwell also stated he did not see any problem with your making the recommendation. Of course, you are free to refute, bring into context or correct these alleged facts.”

Blinson was sworn in as a member of the Beaufort County Board of Elections on Aug. 20.

In his complaint to the state board, Buonanno wrote, “I feel the conduct of Delma Blinson, a Beaufort county board of election member, was inappropriate at best, unethical and probably illegal for a person in his position.”

The complaint alleges that Blinson, during an October meeting of the Beaufort County tea party, about the merits of a candidate running for the U.S. Senate. Buonanno wrote that Blinson’s actions warrant his removal from the Beaufort County Board of Elections so the board’s standards are not compromised any further.

Don Wright, general counsel for the state board, said Blinson could represent himself at the meeting, have an attorney represent him or do both. Wright wrote the letter the state board sent to Blinson informing him of the complaint and Dec. 20 meeting.