1000 x 90

Election Day Again in Watauga; Precincts Open Until 7:30 p.m. for Second Primary of Democratic, Republican Races

By Paul T. Choate

2012 Election graphicJuly 17, 2012. It’s election day again for Watauga County, as polling on the Democratic and Republican tickets for the second primary takes place all day today, July 17, at area precincts from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

All 20 Watauga County precincts are open today. Early voting remained open until Saturday, July 14, at 1 p.m. The final tally for early votes was 181, according to Jane Ann Hodges, director of the Watauga County Board of Elections, adding that the low number was usual for second primaries.

“It’s always been very, very slow for second primaries,” said Hodges. “In fact, we did a canvas of our precincts about 9:15 – 9:30 this morning and we’d only had 52 people vote.”

With only one race on the Democratic ballot and four on the Republican ballot – none of which are in-county races – low turnout should come as no surprise.

“I think people just normally do not get involved with second primaries,” Hodges told High Country Press on July 5. “That’s been the history of elections in North Carolina.”

Who is on the ballots?

Democratic
Marlowe Foster, of Raleigh, is running against John C. Brooks, also of Raleigh, for the Democratic nomination for N.C. Commissioner of Labor.

Republican
Dan Forest is running against Tony Gurley, both of Raleigh, for the Republican nomination for N.C. Lieutenant Gov. Richard Morgan, of Pinehurst, is trying to get the Republican nod for N.C. Commissioner of Insurance against Mike Causey, of Greensboro. For the N.C. Secretary of State Republican nomination, Kenn Gardner, of Raleigh, is running against Ed Goodwin, of Edenton. Lastly, for the Republican nomination for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction, John Tedesco, of Gardner, is facing Richard Alexander, of Monroe.

For more information, visit the Watauga County Board of Elections website or call 828-265-8061.

Democratic second primary sample ballot

 

Republican second primary sample ballot