A town of Selma utility worker returned to the job last week after the Johnston County Board of Elections overruled a challenge to his vote in recent town elections.

Selma Town Manager Richard Douglas said he had reinstated Billy Baker, who had been suspended since November. Town officials learned he had voted in Selma despite living mostly in the Shoeheel community near Kenly.

The elections board sided with Baker, who has said he didn't realize he was doing anything wrong. Baker has voted in Selma nearly every year since buying a house in Shoeheel in 2007. He says that while on call for work, he occasionally sleeps on an air mattress at the house where he's registered. Also, he said he asked poll workers if it was OK for him to vote, and they told him to go ahead.

Douglas filed the complaint against Baker on behalf of the town. Elections complaints have to be filed by someone who lives in the same precinct, and the two men have shared a polling place. Town Attorney Chip Hewitt argued the case at the Dec. 29 elections board hearing.

Baker was represented by Smithfield defense attorney Jack O'Hale, who didn't contest his client's out-of-town residence. Despite ruling in Baker's favor, the elections board told him to change his voter registration immediately.

Board member Pattie Proctor referred questions about the ruling to board chairman Gordon Woodruff, who didn't respond to multiple calls seeking comment.

Douglas has the option to appeal the board's decision to a District Court judge, but he said he would not take further action. "I don't feel that it's a proper use of town resources to continue the process," the manager said.

Baker was on leave with pay until mid-December, when O'Hale asked the board to delay its hearing. At that point, Douglas changed his status to unpaid leave. "My thought there was I didn't know how long it would be continued," Douglas said.

While Baker's back working for the town, he doesn't hold the same position. Last Wednesday, he was transferred from the water and sewer department to the electric department, swapping jobs with another employee.

"I think the transfer was in the best interest of all parties," Douglas said.