Municipal Elections Are One Month Away

Story by Anna Oakes

The political signs are popping up on street corners, and municipal elections in the High Country are only one month away. Citizens in Boone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, Seven Devils, Banner Elk, Grandfather Village, Sugar Mountain, Elk Park, Newland and Crossnore will elect their local leaders this year on Tuesday, November 3.

Here’s some need-to-know info about the upcoming elections, and look for additional election coverage in High Country Press in the coming weeks. For more information about the elections, call the Avery Board of Elections at 828-733-8282 or the Watauga Board of Elections at 828-265-8061.

VOTER REGISTRATION
Voter registration forms must be delivered to the Avery or Watauga Boards of Election offices or postmarked at least 25 days before the election—or by Friday, October 9. However, eligible voters who have not yet registered have the option of same-day registration at the polling site during the early voting period—but not on Election Day.

You may only vote in a municipality’s election if you are at least 18 years old and have resided in the municipality at least 30 days prior to Election Day.

EARLY VOTING PERIOD
The one-stop early voting period in Avery and Watauga counties begins Thursday, October 15, and continues through Saturday, October 31. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday, October 31, is the only Saturday open for early voting throughout the period, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in both counties.

Early voting is available in Avery County at the Avery Board of Elections office in Newland. In Watauga County, early voters can submit their ballots at the Watauga Board of Elections office at the courthouse in Boone or the Agricultural Conference Center, also located in Boone.

In Watauga, a third early voting site will be open at the ASU Plemmons Student Union Multicultural Room Monday through Friday, October 26 to 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

MEET THE CANDIDATES
Several local chambers of commerce will host forums to give local citizens the opportunity to hear candidates speak on the issues.

Boone: The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boone Kiwanis Club will host a Meet the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, October 20, at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road. The chamber is currently accepting questions for the candidates from the public. The forum is expected to last 1.5 hours and will be moderated by Omer Tomlinson and Steve Frank. For more information and/or to submit questions for the candidates, call 828-264-2225.

Blowing Rock: The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and alumni of the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge will present a Candidates Forum on Tuesday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium. The public can submit questions for the forum to info@blowingrock.com.

Bill Barr will moderate the two-hour forum. The first portion of the forum will feature pre-determined questions from the chamber, and the second portion will allow for questions from the audience.

Beech Mountain: The Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce hosts a Meet the Candidates Evening on Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. at Buckeye Recreation Center. Calder Smoot will moderate. For more information and/or to submit a question, call 1-800-468-5506.