By Jesse Wood
Early voting for the March 15 primary begins on Thursday, March 3 at several locations around Watauga County and at the Avery County Board of Elections office in Avery County.
Although the voter registration deadline prior to early voting has passed, same-day registration is available at any of the one-stop voting locations.
“Voters should be ready to show their acceptable photo ID’s,” Watauga County Board of Elections Director Matt Snyder said.
A list of acceptable ID’s and other voter information is available at the state sponsored, http://voterid.nc.gov. 2016 marks the first year of North Carolina’s controversial Voter ID law. However, voters who request a mail-in absentee ballot aren’t required to show ID, according to the State Board of Elections.
The last day to request an absentee ballot for the 2016 primary is Tuesday, March 8.
Another thing to note, especially in a county like Watauga, where unaffiliated voters outrank Republicans and Democrats on a one-on-one basis, is that if you are an unaffiliated voter, you must request a specific ballot or else precinct workers will automatically give you a non-partisan ballot, according to Snyder.
The non-partisan ballot only features the Connect NC Bond, while the partisan ballots feature races from within the Republican, Democrat or Libertarian ballots.
For more information, contact the Watauga County Board of Elections office at 828-265-8061 or the Avery County Board of Elections office at 828-733-8282.
To figure out your Election Day polling place, click here.
Early Voting Sites, Hours
AVERY COUNTY
Avery County Board of Elections Office in Courthouse, 200 Montezuma St. #307, Newland
- March 3- 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- March 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- March 7-9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- March 10 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- March 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- March 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Early Voting Sites, Hours
WATAUGA COUNTY
Watauga County Administration Building, 814 West King St. Boone
- March 3-4 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- March 7- 11 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- March 12 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
ASU Plemmons Student Union, Blue Ridge Ballroom, 263 Locust Street, Boone
- March 3-4 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 8-11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 12 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Blowing Rock Town Hall, 1036 Main Street, Blowing Rock
- March 3-4 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 8-11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 12 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Deep Gap Fire Department, 6583 Old U.S. 421 South, Deep Gap
- March 3-4 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 8-11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 12 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Meat Camp Fire Department – 4797 N.C. 194 North, Boone
- March 3-4 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 8-11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 12 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Western Watauga Community Center – 1081 Old U.S. 421, Sugar Grove
- March 3-4 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 8-11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- March 12 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
See sample ballots for Avery and Watauga counties below:
Avery County Ballots
Note that young adults that are not yet 18 years old but will be by the November election won’t be allowed to vote on the bond referendum. So 17-year-old voters will see similar ballots minus the bond referendum selection.
Republican Primary Ballot
Democratic Primary Ballot
Libertarian Primary
Nonpartisan
Watauga County Ballots
Republican Ballot
Democratic Ballot
Libertarian Ballot
Nonpartisan Ballot
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