CLINTON, N.C. — The race for

Sampson County's

Register of Deeds is not as advertised.

Ballots show the candidates as Mae Troublefield and Paulette King. The problem is the incumbent, Troublefield, is not really running anymore.

The 84-year-old former Register of Deeds remains on the ballot even though she recently resigned amid allegations of missing funds and questionable financial records.

Supervisor of Elections Sylvia Thornton said by state law, Troublefield must remain on the ballot.

"If anyone resigns from an office, it has to be more than 30 days prior to the date of the election before we can take them off the ballot," Thornton said.

The SBI is investigating Troublefield, but no criminal charges have been filed yet. Her supporters question the timing of the allegations just three weeks before the election, implying the ordeal is politically motivated.

Troublefield's Republican opponent, Paulette King, said that is just a conspiracy theory.

"I absolutely had nothing to do with bringing these allegations or bringing them to light," she said.

King said the voters are missing out because the accusations against Troublefield are a distraction from the issues.

"There is a lot of confusion. It has been for me and I hope it gets cleared up," King said.

Troublefield would not comment on the allegations against her, but told WRAL she recently suffered a stroke and that also played part in her decision to leave office after 28 years.

If she ends up winning the election, Troublefield said she would most likely not accept job. In that case, the Democratic Party would appoint her replacement.