By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

Polk County will face this year’s municipal election without a permanent director.

Elections director Karen Lawrence resigned Tuesday, Aug. 18 during the election board’s regular monthly meeting.

Lawrence took another director of elections position in another county according to Polk County Board of Elections Chair David Moore.

Lawrence’s last day at the office will be Sept. 9. She has been the elections director in Polk County for approximately one year, but has worked in the elections office since 2004.

Lawrence replaced former elections director Tracy Waters, who resigned last year after being the director since 2013. Prior to Waters, former elections director Dale Edwards held the position for approximately 31 years before retiring.

Moore said Polk’s election office will continue to run smoothly with the board asking another North Carolina elections director to run this year’s election. The elections board will advertise for a new director, but is unsure when the advertisements will begin.

Polk’s board of elections recommends election directors with the state board of elections making the final decision.

This year’s election includes races for Polk’s municipalities of Columbus, Saluda and Tryon councils.

The general election will be held at all Polk County’s precincts on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting begins Oct. 22 and ends on Oct. 31. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 9.