Swearing-in delayed as elections board withholds certification of Kinston results

The City of Kinston has delayed the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials because the Lenoir County Board of Elections has not yet certified the results of the Nov. 4 municipal election.

City officials said the ceremony cannot be scheduled until certification is complete. The swearing-in was originally planned for Dec. 2 but has been tentatively moved to Dec. 16 due to multiple election protests, evidentiary hearings, and a filed appeal following the election.

Election protests against Mayor-elect Kareem Moore and Council-elect Les Lipford were dismissed after evidentiary hearings, but certification has not yet occurred as an appeal was lodged with the North Carolina Board of Elections. City officials said the swearing-in ceremony will be placed on a future agenda once the Board of Elections formally certifies the election results.