As expected, a new director of the Franklin County Board of Elections was named today, but the board stopped short of completely ousting the former chief.

Two days before the state’s primary election, Dennis L. White replaced Matthew Damschroder as elections-board director, in charge of daily operations. White, who was the deputy director, is a former state chairman of the Democratic Party. Damschroder is a Republican.

Board officials wanted Damschroder and White to swap positions so that Damschroder would become deputy director, but Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner balked at the idea, said County Republican Chairman Doug Preisse. Brunner and Damschroder have not gotten along.

Instead, the board voted to hire Damschroder as a consultant through the end of the year. His pay of $11,250 a month mirrors his pay as director.

Preisse replaced William A. Anthony Jr., a Democrat, as board chairman.

The board also voted to extend absentee voting on Monday an extra four hours, to 9 p.m., because of heavy volume.

jandes@dispatch.com