The N.C. Board of Elections is back at work — a day after most board members signalled they believe they have uncovered illegal activity linked to campaign contributions from optometrists.

Democratic state Sen. Robert Holloman is on the stand now.  

The board could levy fines and submit its information to authorities for criminal investigations. Two key witnesses in the investigation — former Rep. Michael Decker and M. Scott Edwards of the N.C. Optometric Society political action committee — have refused to testify, citing their Fifth Amendment rights to avoid self-incrimination.

Unlike most elections board matters, only four people will cast votes. Board member Robert Cordle of Charlotte recused himself from the hearings because a colleague in his law firm represents N.C. House Speaker Jim Black in ongoing investigations.

Cordle’s absence leaves this hearing in the hands two Democrats — Larry Leake and Genevieve Sims — and two Republicans — Lorraine Shinn and Charles Winfree.

For more on the players in this investigation, check out this site developed by Jon Ham and Don Carrington.