By Becky Long
Publisher
Early one-stop voting opens Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Clay County Board of Elections Office.
During one-stop residents may vote 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the one Saturday it is open, Nov. 5, which is the final day of early voting.
The Elections Board office is located on the far right side of the lower level of the Community Services Building, across from the library in Hayesville.
Without presidential candidates on the ballot, it’s difficult to determine what voter turnout will be for the mid-term elections. In 2020, 4,491 people voted early, accounting for more than 50 percent of registered voters.
In the U.S. Senate race for the seat held by Republican Richard Burr who is retiring, candidates are Matthew Hoh, Green Party; Cheri Beasley, Democratic Party; Shannon W. Bray, Libertarian Party; and Ted Budd, Republican Party.
The U.S. House race held by Republican Madison Cawthorn who was ousted in the primary, the three candidates vying for that seat are David Adam Coatney, Libertarian Party; Chuck Edwards, Republican Party; and Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Democratic Party.
On the local level, the county commission race has five candidates on the ballot. Republican incumbents are Clay Logan, Dwight Penland and Scotty Penland. Unaffiliated candidates are Russell Hughes and Pam Roman.
In the Clay County Board of Education race, there are four candidates. Incumbent Republicans Robert “Robbie”Caldwell, Kelly L. Crawford and Jason Shook. Glenn Marcel is running as an unaffiliated candidate.
Other local offices, all held by Republicans, are unopposed including Clerk of Court Tim Barrett, Register of Deeds, Angie Shook and sheriff, Mark Buchanan who emerged as the lone candidate from the primary. Current sheriff, Bobby Deese chose not to seek a second term.
In addition, two seats are open for the Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor. Voters may choose two and there are only two candidates, Tammy Mull and Ronnie J. Smith.
Voter registration stands at 9,654 in Clay County.
If you have questions call the local Elections Board at 389-6812.