Two candidates are running for New Hanover County Register of Deeds this year.
In-person early voting will begin on Thursday, Oct. 17 and ends at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. Absentee ballots must be requested by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 and returned to the local board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Election Day is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters planning to cast their ballots in person will be required to show photo ID at check in. North Carolina residents can check their voter registration status on the North Carolina State Board of Elections webpage .
Morghan Getty Collins
Age: 41
Occupation: Register of Deeds, New Hanover County
Family: Married with two boys
Education: B.S. Biology from UNCW, M.S. Biomedical Science from Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University
Political affiliation: Republican
April Farr
Age: 55
Occupation: Small business owner
Family: Single mom of two young adults and one Australian Shepherd puppy
Education: BA in Criminal Justice and Spanish, UNCW, 1999
Political affiliation: Democrat
What do you think are the most challenging issues facing the office?
Collins: We are dedicated to protecting our customers from deed fraud every day and highly recommend that all property owners register for our free fraud alert system, available on our website. The system automatically sends a notification whenever a document is recorded under the name of the individual who registered. This helps our customers stay ahead of potential fraudulent filings, such as false deeds and other documents. We are actively working with our software vendor to continuously find innovative solutions to combat and prevent deed fraud.
Farr: Outreach and accessibility. The ROD offers so many great public services, from biographic and historical records to community discount programs, yet many voters do not know even what it does or how it can help—and it is our job to engage with, inform, and assist the public. More importantly, the ROD is there to serve every member of that public, no matter their gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, sexual identification, or socioeconomic status, and make our office as accessible, affordable, and welcoming as possible to every resident of New Hanover County.
How will you make sure that the records maintained by the Register of Deeds office are open and accessible to the public?
Collins: In New Hanover County, we are fortunate to have all real estate records and vital records fully digitized and accessible to the public. To enhance access, we’ve added two new search stations at the Carolina Beach and Northeast libraries, bringing the total to four locations where the public can access our internal records search and the civil processing system. Additionally, the registry preserves a master copy of all real estate transactions on-site, with a backup stored at the North Carolina State Archives to ensure all records remain safe, secure and accessible under any circumstances.
Farr: I’ve noticed that most citizens don’t know what the ROD office does or how they can take advantage of services so my first order of business will be outreach. In addition to opening more remote locations and using better technology to reach additional residents throughout the county, the ROD should not conform to a strict government work schedule; the office should have certain early, late, and weekend hours so that our workers, students, and seniors, in particular, also have access to the many critical services it provides.
What experience do you have that makes you most suitable for this position?
Collins: My experience in the private and research sectors has enabled me to successfully manage projects, collaborate with team members, and adapt efficiently to changes in a constantly evolving field. In my 18 months in this role, we have introduced four new services, including passport processing, which has generated a new revenue stream. We have reduced the registry’s operating budget by 12%, expanded recording hours, and are currently being vetted for TSA PreCheck. Our commitment remains focused on serving the constituents of New Hanover County by delivering excellent customer service and creating new opportunities to expand current services.
Farr: From serving as the Director of Operations of energetic start-ups to working in Diversity and Inclusion in the Chancellor’s division at UNCW to serving as Board Director for various not-for-profits, I have managed offices and served the public with efficiency and empathy for nearly 30 years. During that time, I’ve taken countless hours of trainings in Human Resources, Finance, and Diversity and Inclusion, then grew to lead trainings and present at national conferences. I have a proven track record of serving our community and there’s nothing else I’d rather do.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Election 2024: Meet the candidates for New Hanover County Register of Deeds
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