Watauga County Releases Revised Early Voting Schedule

Watauga County will offer full weekend early voting availability for the first time.

Boone, N.C.

Oct 14, 2024

Note: The State Board of Elections is sending out this press release on behalf of the Watauga County Board of Elections. We are grateful to the Watauga County Board and staff for their continued hard work to serve voters during this disaster. The State Board has set up a special web page with information for voters in areas affected by Helene. Go to ncsbe.gov/Helene.

The Watauga County Board of Elections early voting sites have remained the same, but the schedule has changed slightly. All six sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Oct.17 until Nov. 1; and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays - Oct. 20 and Oct. 27. Early voting also will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, the last day of in-person early voting.

We are pleased to be able offer full weekend availability for the first time. This board decision was made to allow more flexibility to voters' schedules and to maximize daylight driving conditions, both impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, as allowed by recent Helene legislation. If anyone knows of a voter having trouble voting, please call our office at (828) 265-8061.

We are grateful to all the people that worked so hard to build our county's infrastructure back so quickly. It is truly amazing to see people from all over the country pitching in to help strangers in need. That's what America is all about. This helped minimize any disruptions to voters so that every voice can be heard. We also want to thank all the election officials who offered to work the new weekend shifts. We literally can't do it without them.

If you lost your photo ID due to Helene, you have options:

• Fill out a Photo ID Exception Form at your voting site or send the form back with your absentee ballot. (A blank Exception Form will arrive with your absentee packet.) Check the box for "Exception 3: Victim of a Natural Disaster." Make sure to sign the form.
• Go to your county board of elections office. If you are a registered voter, they can take your photo and print an acceptable ID on the spot. For details, go to Get a Free Voter Photo ID.
• Get a free ID from an NCDMV office in your area. For details, see State IDs | NCDMV.
• For details about North Carolina's photo ID requirement, including a list of all acceptable IDs, go to BringItNC.gov.

2024 Watauga County Presidential Election Early Voting Schedule

• Oct. 17-19: 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 20: 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
• Oct. 21-26: 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 27: 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
• Oct. 28-Nov. 1: 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 2: 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

• Watauga County Administration Building
  Commissioners' Board Room
  814 W. King Street, Boone
• Blowing Rock American Legion Building
  333 Wallingford Street, Blowing Rock
• Deep Gap Fire Department
  6583 Old 421 S, Deep Gap
• Meat Camp Fire Department
  4797 NC Hwy 194 N, Boone
• Plemmons Student Union (ASU Campus)
  Blue Ridge Ballroom
  263 Locust Street, Boone
  (Parking lot at 644 Howard Street)
• Western Watauga Community Center
  1081 Old US Hwy 421, Sugar Grove

Related Topics:

• Early voting
• Statements

Patrick Gannon

[email protected]