Burke County may have evening early voting hours in November election
Early voting for the November election may be open in evening hours at the five sites in Burke County over the two-week period.
The Burke County Board of Elections approved early voting sites, hours and time at its June 9 meeting. The sites, days and hours for early voting still have to be approved by the state board of elections, which is expected to happen in either July or August, said Kenny Rhyne, director of elections for Burke County.
Early voting is proposed to start Thursday, Oct. 15, and end on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Hours on weekdays will run from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., with voting taking place on two Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31, according to information from the Burke County Board of Elections.
The five early voting sites in Burke County for the Nov. 3 election are:
* Burke County Board of Elections, located at 2128 S. Sterling St., Suite 100, Morganton.
* Burke County Senior Center, located at 501 N. Green St., Morganton.
* Glen Alpine Town Hall, located at 103 Pitt St., Glen Alpine.
* Hildebran Senior Center/Library, located at 101 Old State Hwy. 10 W-A, Hildebran.
* Rutherford College Town Hall, located at 980 Malcolm Blvd., Rutherford College.
Local races for the general election are:
Burke County Board of Commissioners
Two seats on the board of commissioners are up for grabs this November.
Republican incumbents Randy Burns and Phil Smith won the Republican primary election. Steve Starnes was in the race as a Democrat but Starnes died on June 7. The Burke County Democratic Party has the option to name a new candidate, Rhyne has said.
Burke County Board of Education
There are three seats up for election in the general election for the board of education.
Republican incumbent Tiana Beachler will face Democratic challenger Mark Smith for the Burke County Board of Education Central Seat.
Republican incumbent Aaron Johnson will not face any opposition for the western board seat. Likewise, Republican Leslie Ritchie Taylor will be unopposed for the eastern seat.
Burke County sheriff
Republican incumbent Sheriff Banks Hinceman is unopposed in the general election.
Burke County clerk of court
Republican Burke County Clerk of Superior Court Crystal Carpenter is unopposed.
District attorney 36th District
In January 2027, Catawba County will split off from the 36th District and become the 19th District Attorney's Office and Burke and Caldwell will remain the 36th District. The current district attorney is running for reelection in Catawba County.
Current Chief Assistant District Attorney Mitch Walker won't face opposition in the general election.
36th District Court judge Seat No. 5
Retired Republican Superior Court Judge Gregory Hayes came out of retirement to run for the seat, winning the primary election. He will not face opposition.
N.C. Senate District 46
Incumbent Republican Warren Daniel and Democratic candidate Kyle Whisnant will face off in the General Election for the North Carolina Senate District 46 seat, which represents Burke County.
N.C. House of Representatives 86th District
Incumbent Republican Hugh Blackwell will square off with Democrat Wesley Hendrix in November for the North Carolina House District 86 seat.
U.S. House of Representatives
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, who represents North Carolina's District 14, will face Democrat Lakesha Womack in the general election. District 14 includes Burke County.
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