Cherokee County
Early Voting locations
There is one early voting location:
1) Board of Elections, 75 E Central St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Early-voting times:
Thursday, February 15: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, February 16: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 17: CLOSED
Sunday, February 18: CLOSED
Monday, February 19: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 20: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 21: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 22: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, February 23: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 24: CLOSED
Sunday, February 25: CLOSED
Monday, February 26: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 27: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 28: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 29: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, March 1: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 2: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Voters who opt to vote in person on Primary Day will need to go to their assigned precinct. All precincts will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can look up your assigned precinct here:https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/
Statewide races
Governor: Who will lead the state? Find information on all the candidates here.
Lieutenant Governor: With current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson seeking higher office, a crowded field of hopefuls compete for one of the least powerful roles in state government. Find more on the candidates here.
Attorney General: Two former Congressman are among the four people hoping to become the state's next Attorney General. Read about all the candidates here.
Council of State: The Council of State races include Treasurer, Labor Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, Auditor, Insurance Commissioner, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Secretary State. Find details on all the candidates here.
Judicial races:
Supreme Court: Two Democrats - incumbent Allison Riggs and challenger Lora Cubbage - are competing in the primary to challenge Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin for a seat on the state's highest court. Riggs is a former Court of Appeals judge who was appointed to the Supreme Court in September of last year to replace Justice Michael Morgan who is making a bid for governor in this election. Riggs graduated from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree, masters degree and law degree. She was an attorney for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice where she argued several of the state's redistricting challenges. Cubbage is a Superior Court judge from Greensboro. She graduated from NC A&T and earned her law degree from UNC Chapel Hill. She previously worked as an assistant attorney general at the N.C. Department of Justice.
Court of Appeals: Republicans Chris Freeman and Hunter Murphy face off in the primary, and the winner will face Buncombe County Democrat Martin Moore in the general election. Freeman has served as a district court judge and assistant district attorney in Rockingham and Caswell Counties. He graduated from High Point University and obtained his law degree from Regent University. Murphy won the seat since 2016, after he ran unsuccessfully in 2014. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and earned his law degree at University of the Pacific. Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice.
Local races
NC District Court Judge District 43, Seat 7 (Rep)
The 43rd district, which includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties, used to be known as the 30th judicial district. The districts were renumbered in 2023 to match the state’s prosecutorial district. In addition, the seat is a new one created last year.
District Court judges work at the trial court level. On the criminal side, they preside over misdemeanors and infractions, and on the civil side, they preside over cases involving claims of more than $25,000.
Andy Buckner - Andy Buckner was born and raised in Sylva and is currently an assistant district attorney in the office of District Attorney Ashley Welch, according to his campaign website. He previously worked for law firms in Sylva and Raleigh and was also a music educator at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva.
Virginia Hornsby - An attorney from Franklin, Virginia Hornby describes herself on her campaign website as “the ONLY authentic Republican candidate” in the race for the newly-created seat. She moved to North Carolina from Florida in 2004 and has experience working as a prosecutor, in criminal defense and in family law.
Cherokee County Board Of Commissioners District 2 (Rep)
Randy Phillips - Incumbent Randy Phillips worked as a School Resource Officer for Cherokee County schools for 22 years. Phillips was chairman of the local chapter of Friends of the NRA. He was elected in 2020 and doesn’t have an updated campaign website. He shared his priorities with the Cherokee Scout.
Justin Hyde - Justin Hyde grew up in Marble and graduated from Andrews High School. Hyde has been employed with Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services for over six years and is the chief of Valleytown Fire & Rescue. He shared his priorities with the Cherokee Scout.
Cherokee County Board Of Commissioners District 5 (Rep)
Alan Bryant - Alan Bryant said he was born and raised in Cherokee County. He worked at John C. Campbell Folk School for 18 years and is now self-employed. He shared his priorities with the Cherokee Scout.
Jan Griggs - Incumbent Jan Griggs is from Ohama, Nebraska. She joined the Marine Corps in 1979 and retired after over 20 years. She has served as the Cherokee County 4-H Horse Club leader, a teacher assistant at Hiwassee Dam Elementary School. She shared her priorities with the Cherokee Scout.
Clay County
Early Voting locations
There is one early voting location:
1) Clay County Board of Elections Office, 75 Riverside Cir # 3 Hayesville, NC 28904
Early-voting times:
Thursday, February 15: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, February 16: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 17: CLOSED
Sunday, February 18: CLOSED
Monday, February 19: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 20: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 21: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 22: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, February 23: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 24: CLOSED
Sunday, February 25: CLOSED
Monday, February 26: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 27: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 28: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 29: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, March 1: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 2: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Voters who opt to vote in person on Primary Day will need to go to their assigned precinct. All precincts will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can look up your assigned precinct here:https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/
Statewide races
Governor: Who will lead the state? Find information on all the candidates here.
Lieutenant Governor: With current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson seeking higher office, a crowded field of hopefuls compete for one of the least powerful roles in state government. Find more on the candidates here.
Attorney General: Two former Congressman are among the four people hoping to become the state's next Attorney General. Read about all the candidates here.
Council of State: The Council of State races include Treasurer, Labor Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, Auditor, Insurance Commissioner, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Secretary State. Find details on all the candidates here.
Judicial races:
Supreme Court: Two Democrats - incumbent Allison Riggs and challenger Lora Cubbage - are competing in the primary to challenge Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin for a seat on the state's highest court. Riggs is a former Court of Appeals judge who was appointed to the Supreme Court in September of last year to replace Justice Michael Morgan who is making a bid for governor in this election. Riggs graduated from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree, masters degree and law degree. She was an attorney for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice where she argued several of the state's redistricting challenges. Cubbage is a Superior Court judge from Greensboro. She graduated from NC A&T and earned her law degree from UNC Chapel Hill. She previously worked as an assistant attorney general at the N.C. Department of Justice.
Court of Appeals: Republicans Chris Freeman and Hunter Murphy face off in the primary, and the winner will face Buncombe County Democrat Martin Moore in the general election. Freeman has served as a district court judge and assistant district attorney in Rockingham and Caswell Counties. He graduated from High Point University and obtained his law degree from Regent University. Murphy won the seat since 2016, after he ran unsuccessfully in 2014. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and earned his law degree at University of the Pacific. Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice.
Local races
NC District Court Judge District 43, Seat 7 (Rep)
The 43rd district, which includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties, used to be known as the 30th judicial district. The districts were renumbered in 2023 to match the state’s prosecutorial district. In addition, the seat is a new one created last year.
District Court judges work at the trial court level. On the criminal side, they preside over misdemeanors and infractions, and on the civil side, they preside over cases involving claims of more than $25,000.
Andy Buckner - Andy Buckner was born and raised in Sylva and is currently an assistant district attorney in the office of District Attorney Ashley Welch, according to his campaign website. He previously worked for law firms in Sylva and Raleigh and was also a music educator at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva.
Virginia Hornsby - An attorney from Franklin, Virginia Hornby describes herself on her campaign website as “the ONLY authentic Republican candidate” in the race for the newly-created seat. She moved to North Carolina from Florida in 2004 and has experience working as a prosecutor, in criminal defense and in family law.
Clay County Board Of Education (Rep)
Danny Jones - Incumbent Danny Jones was born and raised in Clay County. He has six children and six grandchildren, according to the Clay County Progress. Jones does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Reba Beck - Incumbent Reba Beck was a teacher for 32 years including 22 years as an art teacher before her retirement. Beck shared on social media that she sees her role on the board as to advocate for quality education.
Josh Ashe - Josh Ashe of Hayesville is running for a spot on the board. He does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media. Ashe told WJRB that he works in the family business at Jacky Jones Ford and thinks there needs to be more teacher assistance.
Jeanine Craig - Jeanine Craig of Hayesville is running for a spot on the board. Craig does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media. Craig previously ran for a school board seat in 2022.
Graham County
Early Voting locations
There is one early voting location:
1) Board of Elections Office, 196 Knight St, Robbinsville, NC 28771
Early-voting times:
Thursday, February 15: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, February 16: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 17: CLOSED
Sunday, February 18: CLOSED
Monday, February 19: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 20: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 21: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 22: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, February 23: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 24: CLOSED
Sunday, February 25: CLOSED
Monday, February 26: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 27: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 28: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 29: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday, March 1: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 2: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Voters who opt to vote in person on Primary Day will need to go to their assigned precinct. All precincts will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can look up your assigned precinct here:https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/
Statewide races
Governor: Who will lead the state? Find information on all the candidates here.
Lieutenant Governor: With current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson seeking higher office, a crowded field of hopefuls compete for one of the least powerful roles in state government. Find more on the candidates here.
Attorney General: Two former Congressman are among the four people hoping to become the state's next Attorney General. Read about all the candidates here.
Council of State: The Council of State races include Treasurer, Labor Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, Auditor, Insurance Commissioner, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Secretary State. Find details on all the candidates here.
Judicial races:
Supreme Court: Two Democrats - incumbent Allison Riggs and challenger Lora Cubbage - are competing in the primary to challenge Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin for a seat on the state's highest court. Riggs is a former Court of Appeals judge who was appointed to the Supreme Court in September of last year to replace Justice Michael Morgan who is making a bid for governor in this election. Riggs graduated from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree, masters degree and law degree. She was an attorney for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice where she argued several of the state's redistricting challenges. Cubbage is a Superior Court judge from Greensboro. She graduated from NC A&T and earned her law degree from UNC Chapel Hill. She previously worked as an assistant attorney general at the N.C. Department of Justice.
Court of Appeals: Republicans Chris Freeman and Hunter Murphy face off in the primary, and the winner will face Buncombe County Democrat Martin Moore in the general election. Freeman has served as a district court judge and assistant district attorney in Rockingham and Caswell Counties. He graduated from High Point University and obtained his law degree from Regent University. Murphy won the seat since 2016, after he ran unsuccessfully in 2014. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and earned his law degree at University of the Pacific. Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice.
Local races
NC District Court Judge District 43, Seat 7 (Rep)
The 43rd district, which includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties, used to be known as the 30th judicial district. The districts were renumbered in 2023 to match the state’s prosecutorial district. In addition, the seat is a new one created last year.
District Court judges work at the trial court level. On the criminal side, they preside over misdemeanors and infractions, and on the civil side, they preside over cases involving claims of more than $25,000.
Andy Buckner - Andy Buckner was born and raised in Sylva and is currently an assistant district attorney in the office of District Attorney Ashley Welch, according to his campaign website. He previously worked for law firms in Sylva and Raleigh and was also a music educator at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva.
Virginia Hornsby - An attorney from Franklin, Virginia Hornby describes herself on her campaign website as “the ONLY authentic Republican candidate” in the race for the newly-created seat. She moved to North Carolina from Florida in 2004 and has experience working as a prosecutor, in criminal defense and in family law.
Graham County Commissioner (Rep)
Commissioners terms are four years. Graham County Board of Elections explained that the lowest vote getter for commissioner will only serve 2 years and have to run again. During the primary, voters can choose three candidates out of six on the ballot.
Gina Shuler - Gina Shuler is the owner of Scissors Hair Salon in Robbinsville. Herpersonal Facebook highlights her candidacy but does not include a platform. She does not have a campaign website.
Meggan Smith - Meggan Smith is a part-time primary-care provider at the Graham County Health Department, Graham County Starreported. She does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Lynn Cody - Incumbent Lynn Cody was elected in 2022. He lives inStecoah and is the finance officer for Fontana Regional Library, according toLinkedIn. He does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Connie Orr - Incumbent Connie Orr is a longtime commissioner who serves on the Southwestern Commission Board as chair. She has been active in discussions about substance use policy, healthcare and other local issues. Orr does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Aaron Bradley - Aaron Bradley lives in Robbinsville. His LinkedIn states that he is president of BT Construction Data Solutions. He does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Jeremy Wiggins - Jeremy Wiggins lives in Robbinsville. He has no campaign website or is not active on social media.
Graham County Board of Education (Rep)
Graham County Board of Education terms are four years. During the primary, voters can choose three candidates out of five on the ballot.
Pam Knott - Incumbent Pam Knott is a retired Career Technical Education teacher from Graham County Schools. She was first voted on the board in 2020. Her goal for the Board of Education is that each child deserves fair treatment, to have his/her voice heard and to have the opportunity to be competent lifelong learners, according to theschool board website. Here is hercampaign website.
Rodney Nelson - Incumbent Rodney Nelson is a retired Graham County Middle School Teacher and Coach. He began his tenure on the Board of Education in 2008. His goal as a Board member is to take care of students and staff, according to theschool board website. Nelson does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Jonathan Allison - Incumbent Jonathan Allison is a coach at Robbinsville Middle School, according to this Facebook. He was elected to the school board in 2020.His goal as a Board member is to improve day by day, to support staff and to help students to the best of his ability, according to theSchool Board website. Allison does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Eddie Howell - Eddie Howell lives in Robbinsville and is assistant coach for the Robbinsville High School Girls Basketball team. Howell does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
Corey Snider - Corey Snider lives in Robbinsville. Snider does not have a campaign website and is not active on social media.
The information for Clay County has been updated.
