The chairwoman for the Stanly County Board of Elections resigned Monday due a possible conflict of interest.

Karmen Mock Phillips resigned her post effective immediately. Phillips has been hired as a county magistrate, a job which requires interaction with elected judges.

Her hire as a magistrate was ultimately approved by resident Superior Court Judge Kevin Bridges. District Court Judge William Tucker will supervise the post.

“Please be advised that I have accepted a new employment position. Because of the potential for a perceived conflict of interest this may create, I must resign, effective immediately, my position as chair and as a member of the Stanly County Board of Elections,” Phillips wrote in her resignation.

A Republican representative on the board, Phillips advised the county’s GOP Chairman Phil Burr of her resignation, she added in the letter.

Official protocol calls for the party chairman to forward nominations to the state party chair who will then submit nominations to the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement. The State Board will appoint a new member to the county board.

After the new member is sworn, the board will vote on a new chair at its next meeting. In accordance with new statutes, the BOE chair must be a Republican.

Democrat Ron Burris presently serves as vice chairman of the four-member BOE. Democrat Desi Shine serves as secretary. Sue McIntyre is the board’s other GOP representative.

Phillips has served on the BOE since July 21, 2015.

Contact Ritchie Starnes at 704-754-5076 or ritchie.starnes@stanlynewspress.com.