By Harley Nefe
As a reminder, the last day to register to vote to cast a ballot on Election Day is today for North Carolina.
However, individuals can also register and vote on the same day during the One Stop Early Voting Period.
One Stop Early Voting in Watauga County and Avery County begins on Oct. 15 and continues through Oct. 31.
Residents can also vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot online at the North Carolina Board of Elections Online Portal or by written request to the county board of elections office.
That form is also available online on each county’s board of election website.
As of Oct. 9, the Watauga County Board of Elections has already received and processed 2,194 absentee by mail ballots.
Director of Watauga County Board of Elections Matt Snyder said the breakdown by political party of the ballots is as follows:
- 47% Democratic
- 36% Unaffiliated
- 17% Republican
The Watauga County Board of Elections will continue to meet twice a week to review and approve absentee envelopes, and the last meeting will be Nov. 2 before Election Day on Nov. 3.
All absentee ballots must be requested by Oct. 27. However, to avoid any problems caused by U.S. Postal Service delays, state and county boards of elections are encouraging individuals to not wait until the last day to request them.
Absentee ballots can be returned to the Board of Elections office in person or mailed back. All mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
Absentee ballots can also be dropped off at any of the early-voting locations during early-voting hours. Ballots can not be dropped off at precincts on Election Day, only at the board of elections’ office.
North Carolina voters have three options for voting: mail-in absentee, in-person during the Early Voting period, and in-person on Election Day. Significant health safeguards will be in place for voters who cast their ballot in person. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and voters should vote at their assigned precinct.
Watauga County has six early-voting locations:
Watauga County Administration Building, Commissioners’ Board Room
814 W. King Street, Boone
Appalachian State University, Plemmons Student Union – Blue Ridge Ballroom
263 Locust Street, Boone
Blowing Rock Town Hall
1036 Main Street, Blowing Rock
Deep Gap Fire Department
6583 Old 421 South, Deep Gap
High Country Vacation Homes (Foscoe)
520 Church Road, Boone
Western Watauga Community Center
1081 Old U.S. Highway 421, Sugar Grove
Watauga County early voting hours:
October 15-30: 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
October 17 and October 24: 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
October 31: 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Avery County has one early voting location:
Avery County Pool Complex
220 Shady Street, Newland
Avery County early voting hours:
October 15-16: 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
October 19-23: 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
October 26-30: 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
October 31: 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.