The mayor's wife is questioning the voter registration of Laurinburg's lone councilwoman.

Desiree Block filed a challenge with the Scotland County Board of Elections on Monday alleging that Council member Joy Ellison lives outside of the city limits.

A hearing is planned for Oct 19 at 3 p.m. at the Scotland County Board of Elections Office.

Block had openly campaigned to be the replacement for Amanda Doerffel when the former councilwoman announced earlier this year she was moving to Florida. Ellison was appointed to replace Doerffel in May.

Block said her actions are not motivated by politics. Block is married to Mayor Matthew Block.

"I love this city too much to allow this to happen," Block said. "I can't stand by. It was my decision alone to do this."

Block says she has "quite a bit" of evidence

"I think everybody knows the truth," she said. "I don't think I need to prove anything. I think Joy knows the truth and I think her mother knows the truth and I think her father knows the truth."

Ellison dismissed the accusation, saying the issue had already been settled by city council. The council voted unanimously in May to accept an affidavit stating that Ellison lived within the district 30 days prior to the appointment to council. There was some concern at the time that Ellison had an apartment in the county and might not be eligible to serve. Ellison said the apartment was a secondary residence and that she permanent address was inside the city.

Ellison said she is unsure what is motivating Block's actions. She added that Block has even spoken to Ellison's neighbors and her co-workers at the school where Ellison works.

"I'm not sure why she would go to this extent, especially by showing up at my job," she said. "That was totally out of line and very irresponsible... I can't think of why she would overstep her bounds like that other than to harass me."

Ellison added that she has no plans to step down.

Regardless of the intimidation, I am going to continue to serve my district and make decisions that will benefit the city of Laurinburg," she said.

Block denies what she doing is harassment.

"I am not menacing anybody," she said. "I don't want to make a false accusation."

The move was not politically motivated, said Block, and has nothing to do with either her desire to serve on council or the unanimous vote to deny her several rezoning requests.

"I always would love that seat, but that is not why I am doing this," Block said. "I don't have to have a seat to voice my opinion and help Laurinburg. I don't need a seat because I stand up for what I want and what I believe in."

Mayor Matthew Block declined to comment on the challenge.

"This is an issue for the election board to look into and decide what to do," he said. "It would not be appropriate for me, as Mayor, to comment on it."