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OCTOBER 6, 2011 ISSUE

Election Day is One Month Away

Rasheed Drops Out of Boone Council Race; Democrats Unopposed

Story by Anna Oakes

2011 Election Calendar

October
Friday, October 7—First Day to Request an Absentee Ballot by Mail
Friday, October 14—Registration Deadline at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 20—First Day of One-Stop Early Voting

November
Tuesday, November 1—Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot by Mail at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 5—Last Day of One-Stop Early Voting
Monday, November 7—Last Day to Return Absentee Ballots at 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 8—Election Day, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 15—Canvass, 11:00 a.m.

The High Country’s towns and villages will elect local government representatives during this odd-numbered election year, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 8.

From sidewalks to property taxes to zoning to safety, local government officials make decisions that have significant, visible impacts in the daily lives of High Country citizens, businesses and visitors. And with tax revenues, grant funds and state and federal monies drying up, those decisions become increasingly more difficult.

In Boone, one candidate who filed in July has dropped out of the Boone Town Council race. Anne Rasheed, a Republican, said she doesn’t feel she has the time to run for or serve on the council at this time, but she looks forward to potentially serving the town in years to come.

That leaves three Democrats running for three open seats on the council. The two highest vote-getters will receive four-year terms, while the third-place finisher will serve two years.

Local races in Elk Park and Crossnore are not competitive, either, as incumbents run unopposed for open seats for mayor and boards of aldermen.
In Blowing Rock, however, two challengers oppose one-term incumbents Albert Yount and Phillip Pickett, while Council Member Tommy Klutz will challenge long-time Mayor J.B. Lawrence for his seat. Two more years remain in Klutz’s council term.

Races in Seven Devils, Beech Mountain and Banner Elk will also be ones to watch.

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 14. 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.

Meet the Candidates
Voters will have the opportunity to meet candidates for local elections at upcoming forums. In the past, candidates have been given equal time to answer issues-oriented questions, but not in a debate format.

The Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge alumni will host a Candidates Forum on Tuesday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium.

The Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce plans to host a candidates forum again this year but as of press time had not yet selected a date.

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce has decided not to host a forum this year, a representative said Wednesday, but the chamber is hoping to host an event with state legislators in the near future.

Check High Country Press throughout October for detailed coverage of local elections. For more information, call the Avery Board of Elections at 828-733-8282 or the Watauga Board of Elections at 828-265-8061.