Watauga County Board of Elections: Despite Hurricane, November Election Will Go On

Despite the hardship that Hurricane Helene has brought to our community and Western North Carolina, the Watauga County Board of Elections is hard at work preparing for the November 5, 2024 general election.

Boone, N.C.

Oct 3, 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.

Despite the hardship that Hurricane Helene has brought to our community and Western North Carolina, the Watauga County Board of Elections is hard at work preparing for the November 5, 2024 general election. Though the hurricane has caused significant disruptions, our election staff and the bipartisan Board are determined to ensure that every eligible Watauga County voter can vote in this cycle.

The Board's motto is: "adapt and overcome."

To reassure our community that elections officials are hard at work preparing for the election and are diligently handling hurricane-related challenges, the Board wishes to bring the following developments to the public's attention:

• Since Monday, September 30, election staff have been back in the Board's office in the Watauga County courthouse on King Street. Staff are taking calls (828-265-8061) and can meet by appointment.
• Election staff are in regular contact with the N.C. State Board of Elections, county management, and representatives in the General Assembly, and are coordinating with local agencies.
• Election staff have evaluated tabulators and laptop computers used for elections and determined that they have not been damaged. Security of all election facilities and equipment has been maintained.
• Despite internet and cell phone outages, election staff have established a secure connection to the state information system, allowing staff to process registrations and requests for absentee ballots.
• Election staff and the Board are assessing the viability and availability of voting sites, as well as the availability of election officials.
• Election staff have received absentee ballots and mailed out absentee ballots. They have also received and sent out electronic ballots to military and overseas voters.
• Consistent with state law, the Board will meet on Thursday, October 3, to begin approving "absentee by mail" ballots. The Board will continue to hold regular meetings for this purpose through Election Day.
• Beginning the week of October 8, election staff will begin training election officials.
• The Board is grateful for the dedication of our election officials, who have made clear that they are available and ready to work.

• The Board encourages the public to monitor developments at its website.

  The State Board has set up a special web page with information for voters in areas affected by Helene. Go to ncsbe.gov/Helene.

Patrick Gannon

[email protected]