Staff reports
Early voting in the 2022 primary election will continue through next Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m.
Since early voting began April 28, Swain County Board of Elections reports 202 voters in the county have cast ballots (through Wednesday morning).
“It’s slow considering if you go back to 2018 in all we had 822 so it’s off to a slow start,” said Swain County Board of Elections Director Judy Allman.
Of those 202, there were 197 from one-stop.
Allman encourages registered voters in Swain County to get out and vote in the primaries.
“The primary is important because it determines who will move onto the General Election,” she said. “So, if you have people you want to be in that General Election, you need to get out and vote or you don’t have a say so.”
This election will determine which candidates from their party will appear on the ballots in the General Election this November. Several local seats will be determined this year, including Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, Chairman of Commissioners, and two seats on both County Commission and Board of Education.
Particularly at the local level, races can be decided by a few votes, giving credence to the idea that every vote counts.
During the primary, local candidates on the Democratic ticket include three candidates for two Board of Education seats: Jamie Fisher, Travis Hyatt and Stacy Carson Pegg. Those voting on the Democratic ballot this spring will also vote for one candidate for U.S. House of Rep. district 11 and US Senate.
Local candidates on the Republican ballot in Swain County include the following for two Commissioners: Phillip Carson, Donna Cole, Isaac B. Herrin and David Loftis. They will also choose 2 candidates for Board of Education: Lisa Stoltzfus Loftis, Robert Lowe, Joshua Oliver and R.L. Taylor. Swain County voters casting Republican ballots will also choose a candidate for US Senate, US House of Rep. district 11, NC Supreme Court Associate Judge Seats 5, 9 & 11.
The following local candidates have also filed for the 2022 election but will not appear on the ballots until November.
For Sheriff, Republican Curtis Cochran (incumbent) and Democrat Doug “Tank” Anthony. For County Commission, Democrat Deborah Smith. For Clerk of Court, Misti Watson Jones, Democrat (incumbent). For Register of Deeds, Diana Williamson Kirkland, Democrat (incumbent). For Chairman of Commissioners, Republican Kevin Seagle and Democrat Ben Bushyhead (incumbent).
Early voting
One-stop voting continues weekdays (May 5, 6 & 9-13) from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays May 7 from 8 a.m.-noon and close May 14 at 3 p.m.
The process is easy and there is no wait. Voters do not need to present a Voter ID but will simply be required to provide a signature before casting a ballot.
There are two locations in the county for one-stop including the Board of Election Office, located at 1422 Hwy 19 South, Bryson City and Birdtown located at 1212 Birdtown Road, Cherokee. Curbside voting is available at both locations for those in need. Registered voters can vote at either location during early voting.
Those wishing to vote by absentee can go to votebymail.ncsbe.gov or visit the local office for a request. Requests must be received by May 10 at 5 p.m.
The Primary Election will be held Tuesday, May 17, and voters must cast ballots at their precinct on that day.
To check your voter registration, visit the state site: vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.
For more information, contact Swain County Board of Elections Office at 488-6177 or email jallman@swaincountync.gov.