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2024 Avery Primary Election Results… Burnop, Webb, and Wright Claim School Board Seats; Incumbents Aldridge and Phillips Join Benfield in Winning County Commission Republican Primary

March 6, 2024 Three first-time candidates for county offices and two incumbents won in their respective races to highlight Tuesday’s Primary Election in Avery County. In the Republican County Commissioners race, incumbent Dennis Aldridge received the highest number of votes with 1,860.  His fellow-incumbent, Tim Phillips, finished second with 1,841 votes. Junior Benfield finished third with 1,661 votes. Jason Grindstaff was fourth with 1,396 votes. Former county commissioner Bill Beuttell finished fifth with 1,387 votes and Josh Aldridge was sixth with 792 votes. By Tim Gardner

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Virginia Foxx Statement on 2024 Primary Election Victory


March 6, 2024 Virginia Foxx today released the following statement on her victory in the Republican primary election for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District. “Republican primary voters sent a clear message today: they are ready to send a reliable conservative who knows how to get things done back to Congress. Thank you to each voter who supported my campaign and endorsed my track-record of conservative solutions. I look forward to earning their support this fall. “The out-of-control immigration crisis–which has spiraled into a national security catastrophe on Joe Biden’s watch–will end only when we have leadership in the White House that is committed to enforcing our immigration laws AND stopping the onslaught of illegal immigration. Now more than ever, we need leaders in Washington who are serious about the issues facing the people of North Carolina–who will fight to preserve their rights and make the federal government work for them. 

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Some Election Results Will Be Reported Later Than Usual Due to State Law Changes

February 28, 2024 As a result of recent changes in state law, in-person early voting results will be reported later than usual on election night for the 2024 primary. This, in turn, may cause Election Day results to be reported later as well. Previously, county boards of elections could tabulate early voting results before the close of polls, then report those results almost immediately at 7:30 p.m. on election night. Under changes made in Session Law 2023-140 (Section 29), county boards must wait until 7:30 p.m. to “close the polls” on early voting tabulators and begin the process of counting and reporting results of ballots cast during the early voting period. This process will take an estimated 30 to 60 minutes – and possibly longer in some counties – before unofficial early voting results can be posted publicly on the State Board of Elections’ Election Results Dashboard.

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The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club Monthly Meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 28

February 16, 2024 The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, Wednesday, February 28, at Mike’s Inland Seafood, 174 Jefferson Road, Boone, NC. Come at 11:30AM for lunch. The meeting will begin at noon. All interested in furthering the Republican cause in The High Country are welcome to attend and are invited to join. Call 828-832-6864 for more information. The WCRWC meets the last Wednesday of each month. See us on Facebook and learn more. Should Watauga County Schools close or change to remote learning due to the weather, we will not meet.

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February 9th Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for March 5 Primary Election

February 6, 2024  Eligible North Carolinians who want to cast their ballot in person on Primary Election Day – Tuesday, March 5 – must register to vote by Friday, Feb. 9. Feb. 9 is also the deadline for registered voters to change their party affiliation before the primary. Under state law, the regular voter registration deadline is 25 days before an election. Individuals who miss the deadline may register and vote during the in-person early voting period, which runs from Feb. 15 through March 2, at any early voting site in their county.

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Watauga County Releases Sample Ballots for Primary Election to be Held March 5th

January 5, 2024 The Watauga County Board of Elections has released ballot samples for North Carolina’s primary election to be held on March 5, 2024. The following ballots are: D0001 for the Democratic ballot; L0002 for the Libertarian ballot; R0003 for the Republican ballot and N0004 for the Nonpartisan ballot. Unaffiliated voters can choose any ballot. Green and No Labels Party members can only choose the Nonpartisan ballot which only has the Board of Education contest on it.

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Absentee Ballot Request Portal Now Open for 2024 Presidential Primary

January 5, 2024 Raleigh, N.C. — Any registered and eligible North Carolina voter may now request an absentee ballot for the 2024 primary election online through the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal, available at votebymail.ncsbe.gov. The absentee ballot portal is the simplest, most efficient, and most accessible way to request an absentee ballot in North Carolina.

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State Board Opens Public Comment Period on Temporary Election Observer Rules

December 2, 2023 The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on three proposed temporary rules: two governing challenges and appeals regarding political party-appointed election observers, and one addressing the requirement for observers to wear identification at the polls, so voters and election officials are aware of the observer’s role in the voting site.

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Rep. Ray Pickett named a 2023 Jobs Champion by the NC Chamber

November 14, 2023 RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC Chamber named Rep. Ray Pickett a 2023 Jobs Champion in its annual How They Voted report. How They Voted details state legislators’ voting records on bills identified as critical to preserving and enhancing North Carolina’s position in the global race for jobs. Rep. Pickett was recognized as a Jobs Champion for voting with the Chamber’s Jobs Agenda 93 percent of the time during the 2023 legislative session.

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Voter Registration Deadlines Approaching for 2023 Municipal Elections

September 8, 2023 Raleigh, N.C. — Voter registration deadlines are approaching for eligible individuals who wish to vote on Election Day in October and November municipal elections in North Carolina. The regular registration deadlines are as follows: 5 p.m. Friday, September 15 for municipal elections on October 10.; 5 p.m. Friday, October 13 for municipal elections on November 7.

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Watauga County Republican’s Women’s Club Announces September Meeting

September 4, 2023 The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 27th at the Dan’l Boone Inn in Boone, NC. The meeting will begin at noon. All interested in furthering the Republican cause in The High Country are welcome to attend and are invited to join. Call 828-832-6864 for more information. The WCRWC normally meets on the last Wednesday of each month.

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State Board Recognizes No Labels as a Political Party

August 14, 2023 The State Board of Elections on Sunday voted to recognize the No Labels Party as an official political party in North Carolina. Recognition of No Labels means voters now have another choice of party affiliation when registering to vote or updating their registration. Voters may register with the Democratic, Green, Libertarian, No Labels, or Republican parties, or they can register as unaffiliated.

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Watauga County GOP to Host Lincoln/Reagan Dinner August 19

August 14, 2023 The Watauga County GOP is hosting a Lincoln/Reagan dinner August 19, at the American Legion in Blowing Rock. Meet and Greet at 5:30PM.Featured speakers are Texas Congressman Chip Roy, District 21 and Paul Newton, NC Senate Majority Leader, District 34. Tickets $40 with limited seating. Call (828) 773-8182.

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Avery Board of Commissioners Adopt Economic Strategic Plan and Establish Priority Needs List of Transportation Projects

July 13, 2023 Adoption of a new Economic Strategic Plan and establishing a Priority Needs List of transportation projects listwere highlights of the regular monthly meeting of the Avery County Commissioners on July 11. Commissioners present for the meeting included Vice-Chairman Tim Phillips, Dennis Aldridge, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr. and Robert Burleson. Commission Chairwoman Martha Hicks was absent due to a death in her family.  By Tim Gardner

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Fired up to File for Blowing Rock Town Council

July 10, 2023 At noon on July 7, candidate filing for High Country municipal elections officially opened. Catherine “Cat” Perry was first in line. Cat announced her candidacy for Blowing Rock Town Council at a campaign launch in Blowing Rock on June 12, but filing on Friday felt different.

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State Board Unanimously Certifies New Voting System

July 6, 2023 Raleigh, NC – The State Board of Elections on Thursday voted unanimously to approve a new voting system from Elections Systems & Software (ES&S) for use in North Carolina elections. The EVS 6.3.0.0 system now is one of several state-certified voting systems, which counties can choose from in determining the best system of casting and counting ballots for their voters.

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Municipal Government Election Filings Begin Friday, July 7

July 6, 2023 Filing begins on Friday, July 7 at 12:00 noon for 2023 partisan and nonpartisan municipal (city, town and village) elections across the State of North Carolina. This filing period will end on Friday, July 21, at 12:00 noon and any person filing for a municipal government position must do so in person at the Board of Election Office in the county in which he or she resides.   By Tim Gardner

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More Than 300 Turn Out for Pride Month Rally and Festival

June 19, 2023 More than 300 people marched down King Street and gathered in the parking lot behind Mast General Store and Lost Province Brewing Co. Sunday to celebrate Pride Month, dedicated nationwide to celebrating and furthering the cause of the LGBTQI+ community. Marchers started at the Watauga Health Department and headed east down King Street before crossing near First Baptist Church of Boone and circling back to Lost Province.  By Zack Hill

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NC House Speaker Sued for Alienation of Affection, Accused of Extra-Marital Affair with State Employee

June 19, 2023 A Wake County assistant principal is suing North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore for alienation of affection, according to a lawsuit obtained by multiple news sources Sunday. Scott Riley Lassiter, assistant principal at Connections Academy Middle School in Raleigh, alleges Moore (R-Cleveland) had an extramarital affair with Lassiter’s wife, Jamie Liles Lassiter, who is a state employee.  By Zack Hill

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Boone Town Council Passes Resolutions on Juneteenth, Voter ID Preparation, Discuss Other Topics

June 19, 2023 On Tuesday the Boone Town Council passed a number of resolutions including observing Juneteenth, voter ID procedure preparations and recognition of retiring Boone public works director Rick Miller. The council voted to recognize June 19th as Juneteenth, a federally-recognized holiday since 2021 that celebrates the emancipation of the slaves. On that date in 1865, a Union commander in Galveston, Texas, informed the local slave population that they were now free. The celebration started in Galveston but has spread nationally over the years.  By Zack Hill

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