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Local Campaigns Compete for Cash in WNC

Oct. 20, 2016. Candidates for local government seats in Western North Carolina have raised thousands of dollars in their election bids this year, leading to widespread advertising campaigns and signs along roadways across the region. Carolina Public Press analyzed campaign finance documents for candidates who reported raising more than $1,000, the amount that triggers state-mandated filing requirements. BY MICHAEL GEBELEIN / Carolina Public Press

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Early Voting Begins Thursday Morning, See One-Stop Times, Locations and Ballots

Oct. 19, 2016. Early voting in the general election begins on Thursday at 8 a.m. For most of the first week in Watauga County, early voting is confined at the Administration Building (beside the courthouse) on King Street. Starting on Oct. 27, early voting will move out into the other one-stop sites on the App State campus, Blowing Rock, Deep Gap, Meat Camp and Cove Creek. In Avery County, the only one-stop voting site is the Avery County Board of Elections office within the Avery County Courthouse in Newland. Early voting ends Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. By Jesse Wood

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Watauga GOP Caravan ‘Rollin’ Through’ Communities in County on Saturday, Oct. 22

Oct. 17, 2016. Local Republican candidates will be “rollin’ through” several communities in Watauga County next Saturday, Oct. 22 to meet with constituents along the Watauga GOP Caravan tour. Candidates for Watauga County Board of Commissioners (Elizabeth Shukis, Perry Yates and David Blust), N.C. House and Senate (Rep. Jonathan Jordan and Sen. Deanna Ballard) and 24th District Court Judge (Becca Eggers-Gryder) are taking part in the mobile event. By Jesse Wood

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Boone Chamber Sponsors Candidates Forum Oct. 25, See Agenda, Final Confirmations

Oct. 25, 2016. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will host a “Meet the Candidates” forum on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 in the large courtroom of the Watauga County Courthouse on West King Street in Boone. See which candidates have confirmed attendance below:

US House of Representatives (District 5)

  • Virginia Foxx (R)
  • Josh Brannon (D)

NC 24th Judicial District –

  • Rebecca (Becca) Eggers-Gryder
  • Joshua (Josh) Teague

Watauga County School Board

  • Brenda Reese
  • Ron Henries
  • Barbara Kinsey

Watauga County Commissioner

  • John Welch (D)
  • Elizabeth Shukis (R)
  • Perry Yates (R)
  • Diane Blanks (D)
  • Larry Turnbow (D)

NC Governor

  • Lon Cecil (L)

NC Senate (District 45)

  • Art Sherwood (D)
  • Deanna Ballard (R)

NC House (District 093)

  • Sue Counts (D)
  • Jonathan Jordan (R)
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Registration Deadline for Election Day Voting is Friday, Same-Day Available for One-Stop

Oct. 12, 2016. While Friday, Oct. 14 is listed as the last day to register to vote for the general election during Election Day, note that same-day registration is available during the early-voting or one-stop period. A Fourth Circuit of Appeals ruling this summer struck down the Voter ID law that eliminated same-day registration and out-of-precinct voting. Now all of the Voter ID law requirements are out the window. By Jesse Wood

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Judicial Elections Preview: Not as Popular as Other Races But Important, See Videos


Oct. 6, 2016. While there is certainly no shortage in this state of attention devoted to candidates for president, governor or the U.S. Senate, judicial elections are another matter. But the candidates seeking election to North Carolina’s Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Superior Court and District Court are essential to our system of justice and the preservation of democracy and the rule of law.

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Delegates From WNC at DNC in Philly

July 27, 2016. The Democratic National Convention is taking place in Philadelphia through Friday, July 28. According to a listing on the N.C. Democratic Party website, the delegates representing Western North Carolina include Howard Larsen of Spruce Pine, Cliff Moone of Hickory, and Anne Hamilton and Jeffrey Rose of Asheville.

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Watauga Elections Board To Discuss Early Voting July 12, Meeting Moved To Courthouse

July 12, 2016. The Watauga County Board of Elections will meet on Tuesday, July 12, at 5 p.m. to discuss early voting plans for the general election in November. Because the topic of early voting – particularly concerning a polling precinct on the campus of Appalachian State University campus – generally elicits a great response from the community, next Tuesday’s meeting will take place in the large courtroom in the Watauga County Courthouse instead of in the elections office. By Jesse Wood

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Axiom Strategies & Remington Research Group: Trump Leads Watauga County by Four Points

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June 16, 2016. Axiom Strategies in a collaboration with Remington Research Group is polling select swing counties throughout the United States. These battleground counties reside in battleground states and have historically been indicators for the eventual statewide election result.

 Watauga County, North Carolina has been selected as one of these counties. Historically this county has been a predictor for the eventual statewide result. Trump currently leads Clinton in Watauga County by four points.



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2016 Watauga County Democratic Party Plant Sale Set For Saturday, June 11

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The annual plant sale to benefit the Watauga County Democratic Party will take place on Saturday, June 11 at the home of Pam and Jerry Williamson on 375 Old U.S. 421 South in Boone. The sale begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, and prices start at $1. Most perennials sell for $1 to $3, annuals at $1 and trees and shrubs and rare plants at $15/$20.

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Foxx Statement on Winning Primary Election

June 2, 2016. Today the voters of North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District decisively endorsed my record of fighting for limited government, conservative values and strong national security. I’m honored that they’ve given me the chance to appear on the ballot in the fall and I thank everyone who voted today for their commitment to a functioning democracy.

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About 500 Wataugans Vote in June Primary So Far, Election Day is Tuesday, June 7

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June 2, 2016. While folks aren’t exactly beating down the door to vote in the June 2016 primary, Watauga County Board of Elections Director Matt Snyder said that the voter turnout was “decent” for a Thursday morning. Before noon on Thursday about 100 people had voted early and the early voting total stood just shy of 500, Snyder said. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie

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NCGOP 2016 State Convention Recap

May 12, 2016. The North Carolina Republican Party (NCGOP) held its annual state convention in Greensboro, North Carolina over the weekend. Delegates to the state convention conducted important business affecting this year’s election cycle and our Party going forward.

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Rep. Stam: More Lottery Advertising in NC?

April 29, 2016. On opening day, Sen. Jerry Tillman filed Senate Bill 728 (“Lottery – JLOC Recommendations”), which would allow the Lottery Commission to double the money it spends on advertising. Proponents claim that this measure will significantly increase money for education. The 1% of lottery revenue that can already be spent on advertising helps bring in (projected) $580 million in net revenue to the state. The proposed legislation would allow 2% of lottery receipts to be spent on advertising.

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Elon Poll: Cooper Pulls Ahead in N.C. Gubernatorial Race, See Other Poll Questions

April 20, 2016. Support is growing for Democrat Roy Cooper in his bid to unseat incumbent Republican Pat McCrory in North Carolina’s 2016 gubernatorial election, according to the latest Elon University Poll. Cooper, the state’s current attorney general, leads McCrory 48-42 percent among registered voters – his largest lead since the Elon University Poll started asking respondents about a hypothetical match-up.

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Five File for NC’s 5th Congressional District, Primary Held on June 7

March 30, 2016. Three Democrats and two Republicans filed their candidacy for the 5th Congressional District of North Carolina in the U.S. House. Filing closed at the end of last week. Jim Roberts of Pilot Mountain, Josh Brannon of Boone and Charlie Wallin of Boone all filed for the Democratic primary, while incumbent Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk and Pattie Curran of Kernersville filed for the Republican primary. By Jesse Wood

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Boone Attorney Joshua Teague Announces Candidacy for District Court Judge

March 28, 2016. Local attorney Joshua J. (Josh) Teague is pleased to announce his candidacy for District Court Judge for the 24th Judicial District of North Carolina. The 24th District encompasses Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey and Madison counties. The campaign will hold a Campaign Kick-Off and Meet the Candidate event on Wednesday, April 13 at Vidalia Restaurant in Boone from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

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Civic Leader, Activist John Hood to Speak at ASU on Thursday, Free to the Public

March 23, 2016. John Hood, recently named head of the John William Pope Foundation on Higher Education and chairman of the board of the John Locke Foundation, will speak on March 24 at 7 p.m. in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on campus. These public lectures are being offered in advance of the 2016 election season to address concerns of North Carolina citizens and to better inform the public about issues facing the state. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. The events are free and open to the public.

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