With a registered voter base that is over 11% of the state’s entire voter population, Sims has had to contend with exponential population growth. Sims also served on various steering committees to improve security efficiencies in elections. Sims ushered in new voting equipment and successfully implemented efficiencies in training, storage and voting logistics. Election Assistance Commission for best practices in recruiting, retaining, and training poll workers and for innovations in elections. He and his team took home three national Clearinghouse awards from the U.S. Under his leadership through six presidential elections, Sims earned the county a reputation of being one of the most respected and innovative elections departments in the state and country. He was Deputy for eight years and in 2015 was appointed Wake’s Director. He came to Wake in 2007, after serving as Elections Director in rural Wayne County. Sims agreed it has been an honor and challenge to work for such a large, diverse and progressive county. Porter, who is the first Black female to serve as Chair of the Wake County Board of Elections, shared her excitement to have a female Chair, a female Secretary and soon, a female Elections Director. McCall first joined Wake Elections in 2008 and has been serving as deputy since 2018. The Board then unanimously voted to appoint current Deputy Elections Director, Olivia McCall, to take over when Sims retires on May 31, 2023. “I have come to see, through Gary’s guidance, the difference between politics and elections…and there is a distinct difference.” “I appreciate your kindness, courtesy and patience with me as I learned elections, and I’m still learning,” said Angela Hawkins, Secretary of the Wake County Board of Elections. We can’t thank you enough for your commitment to Wake County.”Īll of the bi-partisan Board members echoed that sentiment. You gave me confidence in elections and the confidence to sit in this chair. “Working alongside you, Gary, has had a huge impact on me professionally. “This is bittersweet,” said Wake County Elections Board Chair Erica Porter during the public Board meeting where they accepted his paperwork to retire. This week, the veteran elections director announced he will be retiring after over 34 years of government service, 24 of which he spent ensuring safe and secure voting for the public. For nearly two decades, Gary Sims has overseen record-breaking elections in the most-populous, fastest-growing county in the heart of a crucial political battleground state, including staging one amid a global pandemic.
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