Nicole Sanchez: Executive Director

Nicole Sanchez is a founding member of Better Ballot SC and its Executive Director. Through that work she is dedicated to improving the way that South Carolinians vote. In her position as President and her work on various political campaigns, she has interacted with countless South Carolinians. 

She has always had a passion to engage with the community and to help build up others. By cultivating relationships between groups and developing strategies and messaging to further interconnect communities, she aims to continue making a positive impact. Her experience also includes public speaking, team management, organizing, and coalition building.

Nicole graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in Social Studies Education and continues to enjoy educating others about issues she is passionate about. In her off time, she can be found hanging out with her cats and husband or lost in the woods with a good book.

Contact: [email protected]

Marcurius Byrd: President/Chair of the Board

Marcurius Byrd, J.D. is one of the original co-founders of Better Ballot South Carolina. He has served on various boards and leadership teams in many different organizations. He works as a political and campaign consultant, having worked on campaigns on a variety of levels from presidential campaigns to local elections. His various clients and passions frequently brings him to the Statehouse.

He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Contact: [email protected]

Mallory Moore: Vice President/Vice Chair

Mallory is a healthcare worker in the Upstate. She joined Better Ballot SC as one way to support communication and community building. In her spare time she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling near and far. 

Mallory Moore is a healthcare professional who enjoys spending time building community in her small town in the Upstate, hiking, gardening, and reading. Since democracy at its best involves active participation, she volunteers for Better Ballot SC to support free and fair elections that represent all South Carolinians. 

Melissa Couture: Treasurer

• Co-Founder/Treasurer
• Current Charleston County
  Libertarian Party State Rep
  and Fundraising Committee
  Chair.

Contact: [email protected]

Chris Alduino: Secretary

• Secretary

Blake Carlton: Director

Blake Carlton grew up in Columbia, SC. After graduating from Brookland-Cayce High School, Blake left Columbia to study Journalism and Religious Studies at NYU. He then created his own Peace Corps-like experience in the Brazilian countryside. After three years in Brazil, he lived in the DC area, working for the Brazilian government—including six months as a butler to the Brazilian Ambassador, serving him and his guests (including then former president Lula) on silver platters—before pursuing an MBA/MPP dual degree at UMD.

He was married, but had no children, while living in the DMV (DC/MD/VA) area for 10 years. During his divorce, he returned to Columbia to visit family in 2021 and stayed in the area. He discovered Better Ballot SC and rank choice voting after meeting Nicole Sanchez at the Progressive Network and Modjeska Simkins School for Civil Rights. When not participating in BBSC-related activities, Blake works for the federal government (of the US, not Brazil this time), models and acts, life coaches, and runs the animal welfare advocacy nonprofit he founded in 2025, LARRY. He spends what little free time he has with his family and two dogs, Reo, aka Oreo, and Mel, aka caramel.

Sam Gibbons: Director

Christian LeBlanc: Director

Christian LeBlanc is a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and a graduate of the College of Charleston, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2012. Since making Charleston his home, he has built a career in digital communications, marketing strategy, and organizational development.

As the founder of Christian LeBlanc Media, Christian works with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to strengthen their digital presence through web design, social media strategy, graphic design, search engine optimization (SEO), video production, and emerging AI-powered marketing solutions. His approach
focuses on building meaningful partnerships and developing practical, results-driven strategies that help organizations communicate more effectively and achieve their goals.

In addition to his professional work, Christian has served in leadership roles with civic and nonprofit organizations, contributing his expertise in communications, digital outreach, and organizational strategy. As a Director for Better Ballot SC, he brings experience in public engagement, messaging, and technology to support the
organization’s mission of promoting informed civic participation and election reform in South Carolina.