Two vying for mayor position

By Becky Long

Publisher

 Two unaffiliated candidates have registered to run for Mayor of Hayesville.

Current town council member Benita England will face a newcomer to local politics in the mayor’s race, Michael  Castellano.

The make-up of the board itself appears unlikely to change much. Current mayor, Democrat Joe Slaton is seeking a seat on the town council.

Former mayor and current unaffiliated council member Harry Baughn will seek re-election to the board as will unaffiliated incumbent Lauren Tiger.

The town election generally doesn’t generate a great deal of attention in spite of important decisions council members make regarding zoning and businesses, among other matters.

During the previous municipal election in 2021, only 24 voters participated, according to BOE records.

Today the Town of Hayesville has 290 registered voters on its rolls; of those 49 are Democrats, 2 are Libertarians, 138 are Republicans and 101 are unaffiliated.

There will be no primary or early voting in Hayesville’s  municipal election which is held in odd-numbered years.

Voters will go to the polls for the general election Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Those planning to vote Election Day should register to vote by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 for municipal elections on Nov. 4.

Under state law, the regular voter registration deadline is 25 days before an election.

To be eligible to vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality, according to the State Board of Elections.

 Working within city, town or village limits does not make a voter eligible to vote in municipal elections. 

While a voter’s postal address may indicate a municipality, that does not always mean their residence is within the incorporated boundaries of the municipality.

To register to vote, a person must:

cc