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Board of Elections Has Busy Morning as Voters Trickle In and Out of Courthouse on First Day of Early Voting

Watauga County Board of Education candidate poses with her campaign mascot in front of court house on the first day of early voting. Photo by Jesse Wood

By Jesse Wood

Oct. 18, 2012. It’s been a busy morning for the Watauga County Board of Elections. The voter booths, which were practically full, opened at 8 a.m. for the first day of early voting, and more than 170 people had voted by 9:45 a.m. 

“We encourage everybody to vote early,” Director Jane Hodges said. “Think about it. You might be sick on Election Day, or the first week of November, we might be snowed out. You need to vote today while it’s a nice and sunny day.”

Another reason Hodges suggests residents vote early is one might have trouble with their registration. She said that on Election Day, she and her staff won’t be able to assist anyone with registration, but if they come early and run into any trouble, her staff will be able to help them register.

In the past, early voting has accounted for approximately 50 percent of all casted votes. This year, Hodges hopes early voting will be close to 65 or 70 percent of all the votes.

With a steady stream of people walking into the board of election’s office, which is inside the courthouse, on a regular scheduled court day, it was difficult to tell if folks were voting or going to court.

Virginia Gable was outside pitching the candidacy of her husband Vince Gable and other Republican candidates. She asked one passerby if he was voting, and that person responded snidely, “What do you think?”

Speaking to the High Country Press after that comment, Virginia Gable shrugged her shoulder and said, “I’ve talked to more people going to court than voting.”

Incumbent Watauga County Board of Commissioner candidate Vince Gable stands outside the cou rthouse with his wife Virginia Gable (right) and Victoria Smith, who is holding a Jonathan Jordan for N.C. House sign. Photo by Jesse Wood

One-Stop Locations and Times

Location 1:  Watauga County Courthouse, Courtroom 3, 842 W. King St.

  • Thursday, Oct. 18 – Friday, Oct. 19, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 22 – Friday, Oct. 26, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Nov. 2, 8:00 a.m. – 5 pm
  • Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location 2:  Price Lake Room, Plemmons Student Union, ASU

  •  Monday, Oct. 22 – Friday, Oct. 26, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  •  Monday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Nov. 2, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location 3:  Meeting Room, Foscoe Fire Department, 9230 N.C. 105

  •  Wednesday, Oct. 31 – Friday, Nov. 2, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

For more information, click to www.wataugacounty.org/main/App_Pages/Dept/BOE/home.aspx

Click here to view sample ballots, https://www.hcpress.com/news/no-excuses-early-voting-starts-tomorrow-click-inside-for-locations-and-times-of-one-stop-voting-sites.html

Voters trickle in and out of the court house on the first day of early voting. Photo by Jesse Wood