Early voting numbers are higher than last municipal election, according to B.O.E
{Davidson County Board of Elections, 945 N Main St, Suite A Lexington, NC 27292}
Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, is slated to bring a larger turnout than past municipal elections. Early voting in Davidson County is on the rise according to the local Board of Elections. The early voting period began Oct.19 and will end Nov. 4.
“The last municipal election we had with Lexington City voting was in 2019. Compared to 2019, early voting numbers are up. In 2019, we had 1,029 voters during the early voting period,” reported Andrew Richards, director of the Davidson County Board of Elections. “So far during early voting this year through Tuesday we have had 614 voters.”
According to Richards, in 2019, the county averaged 73 voters per day. “So far this year we are averaging 153 voters per day.”
Several candidates have been pounding the pavement to meet voters at the B.O.E. headquarters. On Day 5 of early voting, mayoral incumbent Jason Hayes said he was pleased with the turnout and the community effort to get others out to vote. Hayes said municipal elections in off presidential years have been called "sleepy." "I say, 'Thank you’ regardless of if they vote for me. Folks want to make their voices heard."
Early voting is a subject of debate among experts. While some argue that early voting may increase turnout among particular demographic groups, cut wait times at the polls and allow for the correction of errors, others argue it can decrease overall turnout, lead to ill-informed voting and increase costs for campaigns.
Mayoral candidate Burr Sullivan pointed to a time when early voting didn't exist. "I consider this a plus. People have around two weeks to vote." Asked if he thought the length of time for early voting was necessary, Sullivan noted that candidates don't make the rules for early voting timelines and state decisions must take into consideration larger races. "My opinion is that it's too many days. You could make a case that it's too much for this size municipal election."
Ward 5 City Councilor Garrett Holloway ran unopposed this election and said that he decided to show up each day because of what he called "a campaign of misinformation about the current mayor and council."
Holloway opined, "Voting is the great equalizer." He said he was taking time to speak with voters. "This right doesn't care about what side of the tracks you live on, this right doesn't care about your socio-economic status, this right doesn't care about your race or ethnicity. That's why I am passionate about being out here."
The B.O.E. is gearing up for a robust election day. "We do anticipate that Election Day numbers will be up as well along with the rest of early voting."
Candidates for office:
Lexington City School Board of Education Ward 1
Darrick Lamond Horton
Cyretta Lynn Holt
Marilyn Shyneice Roman
Lexington City Schools Board of Education Ward 2
Kathy Grindstaff Hinkle
Pamela D. McAfee
Lexington City Schools Board of Education Ward 3
Brent Duon Wall
City of Lexington Mayor
John Jason Hayes
Burr Wilson Sullivan
City of Lexington City Council At-Large (2 seats)
Joe Lewis Watkins, Jr.
Jacques (Jack) Seraphim Youngblood
Becky Parker Klass
Cody Michael Charles Beck
City of Lexington City Council Ward 5
Garrett Lewis Holloway
Lexington City Council Ward 6
Thomas Hilliard Black II
Thomasville City Council (3 seats)
Ronald Wayne Fowler
Eric William Kuppel
Paula Widener Peters
Lisa James Shell
Payton Leigh Williams
Dana Skeen Lomba
JacQuez Adon Johnson
Thomasville City Schools Board of Education (5 seats)
Ja’Quez Dewayne Taylor
Renee Kieyeitha Dow
Tiffany Ann Baluka-Brannon
Wendy Bryant Sellars
Nancy Henderson Staton
Town of Denton Town Council (3 seats)
Scott Sherman Morris
Stephen Eugene Davis, Jr.
Barbara Ann Hogan
Hayden Reece Hicks
Zachary Logan Berg
Julie Russell Loflin
Town of Midway Mayor
John Edward Byrum
Town of Midway Town Council (2 seats)
Berkley McCall Alcorn
Michael David McAlpine
Town of Wallburg Town Council (3 seats)
Darren Brent Fowler
Cynthia Berrier Johnson
Clyde Lynn Reece, Jr.
Visit the Davidson County Board of Elections website for more information.
Important dates regarding the municipal elections for Lexington, Thomasville, Wallburg, Denton and Midway
October 31, 2023 - Absentee Ballot Request Deadline for November 7, 2023 Municipal Election
November 4, 2023 - One-Stop Early Voting Ends for November 7, 2023 Municipal Election
November 7, 2023 - Municipal Election
