NC State Board of Elections

Bipartisan State Board Unanimously Approves Measures to Help WNC Voters

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– information courtesy of the N.C. State Board of Elections

The bipartisan State Board of Elections on Monday unanimously approved a long list of emergency measures to help Helene victims vote in the 2024 election and ensure election officials can provide accessible, safe, and secure voting options for residents of Western North Carolina.

The 5-0 vote of Democrats and Republicans on the State Board came after extensive planning by the State Board in coordination with county election officials, public safety and emergency management officials and the U.S. Postal Service.

The measures will apply to the following 13 counties, where infrastructure, accessibility to voting sites, and postal services remain severely disrupted after Helene: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey.

The provisions are also designed to help North Carolina voters living temporarily elsewhere inside or outside of the state or in disaster shelters to be able to vote. They also allow county boards of elections in the 13 counties the flexibility to modify early voting and Election Day voting sites and recruit additional poll workers to best accommodate their voters based on local conditions. And they allow election officials to continue to work with federal and state partners to provide election-related aid to the disaster counties, including temporary voting facilities and restrooms, generators and other needs.

The emergency measures also include ways to get information about voting to voters housed in shelters and to western North Carolina in general. They were carefully crafted to avoid any detrimental effect on the integrity of the election or the security of ballots, according to a press statement issued Monday by the N.C. State Board of Elections.

“These measures were put in place to ensure the victims of Helene can vote in the upcoming election and provide election officials in the hardest-hit areas the tools they need to conduct a secure election under extraordinarily difficult conditions,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections. “Just like the people of western North Carolina, election officials are resilient. We are determined to get the job done for our neighbors and friends in western North Carolina.”

Measures approved by the State Board do all the following and more in the 13 counties:

In-person Voting

  • Facilitate in-person early voting by allowing county boards of elections to modify their approved early voting sites, days, and hours through a bipartisan, majority vote.
  • Allow county boards to modify Election Day polling places by bipartisan, majority vote. This provision also allows county boards of elections, with the approval of the State Board executive director, to open a polling place in another county, provided that materials, tabulators and voting processes are kept separate for each precinct’s voters at that location.
  • Allow county boards – by bipartisan, majority vote – to set up their board of elections office to permit any voter in the county to vote at that site, in the event voters are unable to get to their Election Day precinct voting site or are unsure of their voting location. Some county offices may also serve as an early voting site, which allows any voter of the county to vote during the early voting period.

Absentee Voting

  • Allow voters to request and receive an absentee ballot in personat their county board of elections office up until November 4 – the day before the election. As always, the voter, a near relative or legal guardian is required to complete an absentee request form with the required personal information for the voter, and that information must be verified by the county board as with any absentee request.
  • Allow voters to drop off completed absentee ballots at Election Day polling places operated by the voters’ county board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Allow voters or their near relatives or legal guardians to hand-deliver completed absentee ballots to another county board of elections in North Carolina or the State Board of Elections office, as long as the ballot is received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. The county or State Board then would ensure that those ballots are delivered to each voter’s county board of elections by November 14 – the day before county canvass – to be counted. A log and chain of custody will be maintained to secure these ballots.

Poll worker recruitment and assignment

  • Allow county boards – by bipartisan, majority vote – to appoint election officials who are registered to vote in other N.C. counties, to appoint emergency Election Day assistants and assign them to a precinct, and to reassign poll workers to different locations than their original assignment to ensure sufficient knowledge and expertise at each voting site.

Multipartisan Assistance Teams

  • Allow county boards – by bipartisan, majority vote – to schedule Multipartisan Assistance Teamsto assist with absentee ballot requests and absentee voting at disaster shelters and other places where disaster relief is provided to the public. These teams may receive and deliver to county boards completed absentee ballot envelopes for voters.

Coordination with Emergency Officials

  • Ensure the State Board continues its ongoing coordination with the N.C. Division of Emergency Management to provide election-related aid to the disaster counties, including temporary voting facilities, generators, temporary restrooms, and other needs.

In approving the resolution, the State Board found that Tropical Storm Helene created an unprecedented natural disaster for Western North Carolina that disrupted and continues to disrupt the schedule of the general election. The storm has taken many lives, severely damaged public and private property, and has caused significant and lasting disruptions to essential utility services and systems, including power, internet, cell service, water and transportation.

State law (N.C.G.S. § 163-27.1) authorizes the State Board to exercise emergency powers to conduct an election where the normal schedule is disrupted by a natural disaster.

For comprehensive information on Voting After Helene, go to NCSBE.gov/Helene. [Read the final, signed resolution]

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Business Spotlight: AdVance Joint Regeneration

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Most anybody experiencing knee pain, brought on by injury, arthritis or something else, probably would choose any therapy or procedure over the more invasive option of surgery.

With surgery, there’s some expected post-op downtime, then perhaps rehab – weeks of recovery, even in the best of circumstances.

For some, however, AdVance Joint Regeneration offers an alternative: it’s called visco supplementation and Clinical Director Brad Johnson said the procedure often delays or prevents the need for surgery.

“To delay or prevent surgery is always a good thing,” Johnson said.

Their specialty is knee joint injections, and Johnson said it’s covered by most insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid. As the clinic’s director, it’s part of his job to answer patients’ questions, handle insurance and generally make sure the place runs smoothly, Johnson said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

An initial exam and x-rays, followed by an arthrogram – injecting a bit of dye into the joint – helps staff determine good candidates for the joint injection of hyaluronic acid.

Joints like knees are encapsulated, which keeps the body’s natural lubrication contained within the joint and doing its job. Johnson said his staff uses a fluoroscope during the arthrogram to make sure the dye stays within the encapsulated joint and that there is no damage that would cause it to leak out.

The hyaluronic acid is “very similar to what’s in your joints already,” Johnson explained. During the arthrogram, as the dye is injected, the examiner “can see it moving around and staying in place. As long as it doesn’t migrate, she can go ahead and do the treatment.” Physician Assistant Katheryn Lordy and Andrew Stock, M.D. staff the Henderson clinic.

In case the tests show some damage, there’s a way to “trick” the brain into cleaning up the damaged tissue to promote healing using the patient’s own blood platelets.

A platelet rich plasma is injected into the damaged joint, Johnson said, which triggers the brain to start repairing the tissue.

Patients receive five weekly injections and go home with a knee brace to support and gently realign the knee and leg. Sometimes, they’ll need physical therapy or a home exercise device to help improve range of motion, but that’s about it as far as post-injection care goes.

“The downtime is basically none,” Johnson said. Patients “can basically go back and do what they want to do and what they’re comfortable doing.”

Contact AdVance Joint Regeneration at 252.572.2944 to make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation. Visit https://advancejointregeneration.com/ to learn about all the services offered.

This WIZS Business Spotlight is not a paid ad. However, the business featured is an advertising client of WIZS Radio.

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TownTalk: Information On The Upcoming Election

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There are several ways to cast your vote in the upcoming November general election – all well before the first Tuesday in November.

In-person early voting begins next Thursday, Oct. 17, at two polling sites in Vance County – the former Eaton Johnson gym on Beckford Drive and Aycock Rec Center on Carey Chapel Road.

Early voting continues on weekdays through Nov. 1, and concludes with Saturday voting on Nov. 2, according to information from the Vance County Board of Elections. The polling sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. each weekday through Nov. 1 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

County residents who still need to register to vote have a couple of options – if you want to vote on Election Day – Nov. 5 – you need to register by 5 p.m. this Friday – Oct. 11.

Tuesday, Oct. 29 is the deadline to request an absentee ballot from the board of elections. All absentee ballots must be received by the board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Same day registration is available at the early-voting sites as well.

Elections officials remind voters that whether they vote in person early, by mail or on Election Day, poll workers will ask voters for a photo ID. For many voters, this will be a driver’s license, but there are other acceptable forms as well, including a free ID available from the county board of elections office or NCDMV. Voters without ID can still vote by filling out a form explaining why they can’t show ID, or by casting a provisional ballot and showing their ID at their county board of elections office by 5 p.m. Nov. 14, according to state board of elections officials.

In addition to the high-profile national and statewide races, Vance County voters have a couple of contested races that will be decided, including one seat on the board of county commissioners.

District 1 incumbent Democrat Carolyn Faines faces Republican challenger William Heitman; the other three commissioners – District 2’s Valencia Perry, District 5’s Leo Kelly, Jr. and District 6’s Yolanda Feimster are running unopposed.

Tune in to WIZS TownTalk at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to hear separate interviews with Faines and Heitman.

Three members of the Vance County Board of Education face no opposition in the upcoming election – District 3’s Dorothy Gooche and District 5’s Linda Cobb are running for re-election. District 4’s Ayana Lewis, appointed to the seat in Feb. 2024, seeks her first election to the board.

Incumbent State Rep. Frank Sossamon, a Republican, is seeking a second term for the District 32 seat that includes Vance and Granville counties. He faces opposition from Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn, a former Oxford Town Commissioner, and from Libertarian candidate Ryan Brown.

A portion of Vance County is in House District 7, which has Republican incumbent Matthew Winslow facing two challengers in the upcoming election – Democrat Jesse Goslen and Libertarian Party candidate Gavin Bell.

In the District 11 State Senate race, State Sen. Lisa Stone Barnes faces off against Democratic challenger James Mercer.

In a judicial race with local interest, incumbent Carolyn J. Thompson seeks to retain her seat on the N.C. Court of Appeals. She faces challenger Tom Murry in this race. WIZS will air recorded interviews with Thompson and Murry on Thursday’s TownTalk at 11 a.m.

When voters enter the voting booth with their ballots, poised to exercise their Constitutional right, there may be some down-ballot races that include candidates whose names don’t ring a bell.

The N.C. State Board of Elections website offers a wealth of information for registered voters, including a voter guide to judicial races and even a sample ballot for voters to preview.

Visit www.ncsbe.gov to access all this information and more.

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The Local Skinny! Gun Safety And Children Next Forum Topic Hosted By Rep. Frank Sossamon

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Rep. Frank Sossamon is hosting forums to underscore the need for gun safety, especially as it pertains to children.

The evening forums are designed to share information about gun safety with families. Representatives from the N.C. Dept. of Public Safety and the Center for Safer Schools, along with others, will be on hand during the events, according to information from Sossamon’s office.

The Granville County forum will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Northern Granville Middle School, 3144 Webb School Rd, Oxford.

Then, on Thursday, Oct. 10, the Vance County forum will be held at E.M. Rollins Elementary School, 1600 S. Garnett St., Henderson. That forum also runs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The forums are free and open to the public.

 

“Name The Robot” Contest On Now For Maria Parham’s New Surgical “Assistant”

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Maria Parham Health extends an invitation to the community to come out and meet its surgical robot. The state-of-the-art da Vinci robot will be officially welcomed at a “Meet the Robot” event on Nov. 4 at the hospital.

But hospital officials want the community to help name the newest member of the surgical team – and the person who submits the winning entry gets a $100 Amazon gift card, said Donna Young, MPH marketing & communications coordinator.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to engage with us and be part of the exciting advancements in our healthcare services,” Young said. “We look forward to seeing the creative names our community comes up with!”

Submit your entry via private message on the Maria Parham Health Facebook page. Entries should include the participant’s name, email address, and phone number to qualify. The winning name will be announced on Nov. 4.

Attendees will get a chance to see the da Vinci robot up close and learn how it will be used to improve surgical outcomes for patients.

VCS September Student Spotlight

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Vance County Schools recognizes two students for the September Student Spotlight.

Rylee Williams, a student at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy and Nicola Thompson from Vance County Early College have been honored for their exceptional contributions and leadership within their school communities, according to information from VCS Aarika Sandlin.

The Student Spotlight program is sponsored by Vance County Schools, in partnership with the Vance County Public School Foundation, and highlights students who go above and beyond. These remarkable students embody qualities inclusive of kindness, dedication, and a strong commitment to personal growth and service to others.

Rylee Williams

Rylee Williams, a 4th– grader at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, was nominated by her principal, Dr. Carnetta Thomas, who praised Rylee for her integrity, resilience and empathy.

“Rylee demonstrates excellent communication skills and can inspire and motivate others. Her adaptability and eagerness to learn allow her to take on challenges, such as teaching herself Korean,” Thomas said.

Rylee’s favorite subject is writing, where she focuses on improving both her writing skills and handwriting. She is also a member of the school’s Art Club.

Outside of school, her favorite hobbies are skateboarding and drawing. She enjoys listening to music by Jvke and is a fan of the movie Inside Out 2, finding the character Anxiety particularly relatable.

Looking to the future, Rylee is passionate about helping others—whether it is people or animals. She is considering becoming a veterinarian or pursuing a career in the medical field. When asked who she admires most, Rylee did not hesitate to name her mom as her role model, saying her mom supports her even when she makes mistakes. Her advice to other students is simple yet profound: “Have a positive attitude and be kind to others.”

Rylee loves coming to E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy because she is constantly learning new things. She describes the school as a wonderful place filled with loving and supportive teachers and staff, especially highlighting Dr. Thomas as joyful and kind. If given a superpower, Rylee would love to be invisible, fly, or even see ghosts. She dreams of traveling to Japan, South Korea, and Brazil one day.

Nicola Thompson

Nicola Thompson is the 2024-2025 Student Spotlight at Vance County Early College. Nominated by her English Language Arts teacher, Shanice White, Nicola has been recognized for her remarkable ability to adapt to a new school and community while maintaining academic excellence.

“Her diverse achievements not only showcase her exceptional commitment and versatility both in and out of the classroom, but also reflect her graceful, kind, and helpful nature, which has allowed her to build strong and meaningful friendships and become a positive role model within our school community.”

Nicola is a well-rounded student involved in numerous clubs and activities, including the BETA Club, Student Government Association, National Honor Society, Math and Psychology Club, and Quiz Bowl. Her favorite subjects are Chemistry and Biology, but her true passion lies in math, as she aspires to become an engineer.

Beyond academics, Nicola actively volunteers at the Aycock Recreation Center and participates in AAU Basketball. As a dedicated student-athlete, she excels in both soccer and basketball while making significant contributions through community service. She greatly admires her father, Errol Thompson, who has taught her everything she knows about sports.

If she could choose any superpower, Nicola would want to be the Thinker from DC Comics, allowing her to know everything and develop solutions to global challenges, such as addressing climate change. She shares, “My favorite thing about being a student at VCEC is being focused at school, which gives me more time outside of school. Time management has been instilled in me, allowing me the freedom to enjoy the campus.”

These students are exemplary representatives of Vance County Schools and the Student Spotlight program. They embody the values of kindness, dedication, and a commitment to learning, serving as an inspiration to their peers and a source of pride for their school communities and the district as a whole.

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Vance Commissioner Sean Alston Named To Statewide Commissioners’ Committee

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Vance County Commissioner Sean Alston has been appointed to the 2024-26 N.C. Association of Commissioners Legislative Goals Committee.

Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry said Alston is poised to make significant contributions to the committee’s efforts to promote policies that enhance the well-being of all residents in Vance County and throughout the state.

“I am honored to be appointed to the Legislative Goals Committee,” Alston said. “This is an incredible opportunity to advocate for our community’s needs and ensure our voices are heard in the legislative process. I look forward to working alongside fellow committee members to develop strategies that address critical issues facing our county.”

The Legislative Goals Committee reviews steering committee recommendations as a package — ensuring alignment and checking for conflict across subject areas. The goal of this committee is to reach a consensus on a package of goals and policy statements that will be presented to the NCACC Board of Directors and ultimately placed before the entire membership at the 2024 Legislative Goals Conference in mid-November 2024.

Alston also serves on the following boards and committees:

Appointed by Board of Commissioners 

  • 911 Advisory Board
  • Farmers Market Advisory Committee
  • FVW Opportunity Board
  • Henderson-Vance Industrial Park Board

Appointed by Said Committee or Other Entity 

  • NACo Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee (National Association of Counties)
  • NACo Rural Action Caucus
  • NACo Veteran and Military Service Committee
  • NCACC General Government Committee (NC Association of County Commissioners) • NCACC Justice and Public Safety Committee
  • NCACC Legislative Goals Committee

Troxler: Western NC Livestock Owners Need Fencing Supplies, Feed

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As supplies for people make their way to western North Carolina following last week’s devastation by Hurricane Helene, N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler issued an urgent plea for donations of fencing supplies to assist livestock owners as they attempt to secure cows, horses and other animals in their care.

“We have seen time and time again our agriculture community support one another in times of need, and this is no different,” Troxler said in a press statement released Thursday.

Hay – especially square bales – and other livestock feed are needed, in addition to the fencing supplies. Area extension agents are good sources of information if you have questions about how to help. Granville County Livestock Extension Agent Kim Woods provided information that includes a direct link to the Disaster Hay and Livestock Assistance Portal. Visit https://go.ncsu.edu/livestockdisasterhelp, note whether you need help or want to offer help. To donate, click on the ‘Want to Help’ button, which will ask for a bit of information and items you have to donate.

“We are seeing an outpouring of support with hay, animal feed, fencing and other supplies that are going out to those needing these resources. In the days ahead, we know we are going to need even more fencing supplies, especially solar fence chargers to help livestock producers. If you have resources to donate, please go to our website to let us know.”

Various donation collection sites have been set up in and around Western North Carolina. For a list of these sites that are being continuously updated, go to: https://www.ncagr.gov/emergency-programs/disaster-information/agsupplydonation

At the present time, here is a list of items being accepted at these locations:

Corn Silage
Grain mix or pellets for cattle
Round and square hay bales
Baleage/Haylage
Mineral Supplements
Fence Supplies
Feed tubs/troughs
Water troughs
Basic animal supplies