Tag Archive for: #electioncoverage

The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 2 At Large

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Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 2 at-large seat. Lamont Noel, the incumbent, and challenger George Mayo responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.

Lamont Noel

1. What prompted you to run for local office?

My family’s encounter with insufficient ordinances or the lack thereof in my neighborhood inspired me to become involved in our city’s governance. Advocating for my sons under circumstances that felt discriminatory pushed me to ask our leadership questions about the fairness of law enforcement pulling over kids in my neighborhood.  With the help of our city’s chief of police, I successfully wrote an ordinance that could be enforced for all people driving a golf cart throughout our city’s neighborhoods. This experience made me think about all those people without an advocate, those who probably felt like they would not be heard. So, I decided to run for a local office for the people, not the position. 

2. What’s your platform? 

My platform is based on my principles about treating people with respect about their concerns and doing my very best to address them. I am an approachable listener, and I don’t make promises that I cannot keep. The citizens deserve leadership that will put our communities above any personal differences. I am only one of eight council members, but I stand in the gap for many who want affordable housing options, cleaner neighborhoods, better streets, and safer living environments.

3. State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

The top three that have been consistently brought to our mayor and city council are 1) crime reduction, 2) cleaning up the city, and 3) affordable housing.

I will continue to work with the council members to secure resources that will address factors such as poverty and drug abuse, which feed our 68.79 crime rate.  While I voted to increase the average salary for our city police so we could hire and retain qualified officers, I recognize that law enforcement presence is not the solution.  It will require a concerted effort to bring more job opportunities to our city and make sure we prepare potential employees for those positions through our educational system. But it will also require us to hold each other accountable for our own neighborhood safety concerns. If you see something, say something.

Regarding cleaning up the city, I have proposed to the council something as affordable and commonsense as employing a small staff of people to drive around our neighborhoods and pick up trash in coordination with our city sanitation department. This “two-men-and-a-truck” concept would be a full-time anti-litter campaign effort until we get a handle on the current condition. It may seem impossible with the number of complaints we receive, but we must start somewhere. This brings me back to my comment about the importance of citizenship accountability.  All of us must take ownership and pride in our homes and neighborhoods, whether we live in the country club or a housing authority neighborhood. We must all work together to clean up and maintain our surroundings, and then hold others accountable for doing the same.

Lastly, affordable housing is possible as a part of a larger economic development plan. For example, I propose offering developers incentives, such as tax reliefs and reduced purchase prices, for some of our city’s vacant lots to build affordable housing in communities that need revitalization.

4. What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be? 

First, let me state that I believe in Henderson and its potential. We have a prime location, situated off the interstate and a major US highway, which should attract visitors and future residents. We can build upon our existing economic foundation by partnering with our adjoining cities and counties to encourage business growth—my ideas and plans to help our city focus on the importance of economic development, beginning with helping our small business owners and making Henderson more appealing to new and larger businesses.

5. Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council. 

As the owner of a small business, I bring my professional work ethic and commitment to running the city’s business affairs effectively. 

6. How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals? 

We must work together to end the chaos and confusion that plagues our city council meetings. We have a lot of work to do to restore confidence in our elected leaders, who are there to take care of our city and citizens. I will continue to make decisions based on the best interests of all citizens and encourage my fellow council members to join me without divisive arguments or personal attacks. Our citizens deserve better, and I will continue to strive to earn the privilege of serving them and not the position.

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George Mayo

My name is George Mayo, I’m 26 years old, and I am proud to be the youngest male candidate to ever run for City Council here in Henderson.

I am running for council because I believe it’s time for a major change in our city. I believe our community deserves someone with “NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND FOR CERTAIN—LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST.” It’s about time someone young, like myself, with fresh, new ideas steps up to serve both our city and our citizens.

Let me be clear:

“I AM ABOUT MY BUSINESS. I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.”

I promise you—I will always be here to serve our citizens and address some major issues in our city. These include:

• Proposing affordable property taxes for our residents

• Strengthening public safety, so that our police and first responders can serve and protect the City of Henderson the way it should be

• Expanding programs that support our citizens—especially our young people—by providing opportunities for them to grow, learn, and succeed

Our elders have paved the way for us, and now it’s time for our generation to step up and take life more seriously.

Although I do not currently own a home, and I’ve lived in Ward 2 for just under 10 years, I have personally witnessed many of our citizens struggle—and in some cases, lose their homes—simply because they couldn’t afford the rising cost of property taxes. That should never happen.

Let me be very clear:

No one—Black, White, Purple, Pink, Brown, or Blue—deserves to live in fear of losing their home due to unaffordable property taxes.

The solutions I plan to propose include:

• Mentorship programs

• Skill-building workshops

• Community engagement initiatives

• And most importantly—being a positive role model for our youth, showing them that they can be anything they put their minds to

Gun violence, drugs, and the streets are not the only path. You don’t have to fall back on those things to “look like somebody.”

To strengthen our public safety, I propose:

• Community Violence Intervention – by treating violence like a public health issue

• Invest in our citizens – engage more with the people, and build relationships

• Show our community that law enforcement can be a safe space, not just a force that pulls people over or makes arrests

I hope I have said something today that will earn your vote—whether it’s during early voting or on Election Day.

Early Voting is from September 18 – October 4, and Election Day is October 7th.

Thank you, and may we move forward with NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST!

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The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 3

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Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 3 seat. Garry Daeke, the incumbent, and challenger Jason Spriggs are the two candidates who responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.

Garry Daeke

What prompted you to run for local office?

After coming home from college, I wanted to give back to my community and hopefully be a part of the solutions.  I joined the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, and served on the Downtown Development Commission.  The experience I gained from these City centric boards prompted me to run for local office.

What’s your platform?

I believe we need citizens who will serve the best interests of the local community. Henderson is at a crossroads, and with a Council that can honor each other and work together to solve problems, we can focus on the areas of most need.  For the City to grow, we have to add more taxable property, whether business or residential, to grow our budget.  With that revenue, we need to begin building homes in our downtown areas where we have taken so many dilapidated structures down.

State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

First, I am hoping that the next Council members honor each other for their individual knowledge and are willing to work as a team to reach positive outcomes for the citizens. Without that, we cannot move forward. Secondly, we have to acknowledge that our tax rates are high, and our expenditures the last few years have depended too much on fund balance to continue operations, so we must increase taxable properties to the City to maintain our present services, and that will be the key to growth and additional programs and services.  Third, we must provide better housing options for our citizens within the City.  We must foster growth in our downtown and the surrounding residential areas.  Grow we must (annexation of new developments for revenue), but we cannot let the center of town, especially our neighborhoods, continue to decay.

What are your beliefs, ideas, and passions for ways to make Henderson the best place it can be?

My mother was specific in teaching us the Golden Rule as a way to always treat others with respect and honor.  That has guided me throughout my personal and professional life.  My passion for working to assist people to thrive in a safe, supported, and caring environment still drives me to make the best decisions for this community, and to make Henderson the best place it can be.

Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.

After coming back home to Henderson from college, I worked for the Area Mental Health program for 15 years, specifically serving adults with developmental disabilities, assisting them with support services to live and find employment in the community. Next, I worked with FGV Smart Start for 25 years, serving families with young children, focusing on their social, emotional, and educational development. I have been blessed that my employment history allowed me to utilize my passion for helping people and to be able to continue to learn of the multitude of challenges people face in our community. Combining this work, while serving on local boards and commissions, has enabled me to understand the work of the Henderson City Council.

How do you feel about the current climate in the city?  If elected what are your short and long term goals?

The current climate in the city is problematic. Presently, there is not a collaborative environment on the Henderson City Council.  The lack of transparency, the efforts to control rather than involve all elected members, and the loss of any team effort has crippled the City and created an environment in which our professional staff does not feel supported.  Council efforts are now competitive, yet should be one of collaboration and working together.  Elect people who are honored to serve, and choose to do this because they care.  My short term goals are to re-create the positive working environment that we previously enjoyed at the City, and restoring the publics’ confidence in the City Council and its’ leadership. Longer term goals are building a stronger revenue base, creating better housing options in the City, revitalizing downtown with new businesses and customers, and continuing the upgrade of our infrastructure (sewer, water) and as well as our streets, many of which need pothole work and additional paving.

Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.

Born and raised in Henderson, after coming home after college (UNC-Chapel Hill) and volunteering to work on many community and City boards, I decided to apply what I had learned and run for Henderson City Council.  I have served Ward Three for 20 years.  Presently, I am Mayor pro tem, chair of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System board, and chair of the Public Works committee. I have been married for forty one years (wife, Scarlett), and have two sons (Adam and Aaron). I am a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church.

A City Council member is a steward of the citizens’ resources.  Our work must be done with equity for all, with honesty, and transparency so that our citizens can see and understand what we are doing with their money and property.

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Jason Spriggs

What prompted you to run for local office?

I’m running for the 3rd Ward City Council because I have a deep desire to improve the lives of the people closest to me…my family, friends, and neighbors. I’ve seen our city’s progress slow down noticeably. I believe the best way to serve those I love and the entire community is to step up, help get us back on a path of progress, and ensure our progress is benefitting everyone equally.

What’s your platform?

My platform focuses on key initiatives that will improve our city:

  • Complete Downtown Projects: Finish the Montgomery St. park (skate and splash pad) and build the Downtown pavilion.
  • Support Local Organizations: Provide continued financial support for local non-profits and the Henderson Vance Chamber of Commerce.
  • Invest in City Employees: Improve yearly salary and compensation for all municipal employees.
  • Enhance City Operations: Separate the City Manager and City Attorney dual roles, officially transition to the “City of Water,” and reinstate the Assistant to the Mayor position.
  • Improve Public Services: Secure funding for year-round street cleaning and establish a Community Resource Center on the Eastside to serve youth and seniors.

State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

The three most important issues I believe our city is currently facing are a loss of citizen morale, the ongoing problem of incomplete city projects, and the need to keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. If elected, I plan to prioritize transparency and communication by holding more accessible public forums and actively seeking citizen input. City Hall should re-prioritize and secure the necessary funding to complete what has already been started before we initiate any new, large-scale projects. I would like to implement a year-round street-cleaning program by hiring local contractors in order to make our city noticeably cleaner, while making sure our police and fire departments have the resources they need to keep us safe.

What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?

We have to remember that the city we pass on to our children and grandchildren is the legacy we are building today. Henderson deserves our full commitment, and we should always be ready to support new ideas that improve the quality of life for every single resident.

Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.

With over a decade of experience in public service and politics, I’ve had the honor of serving on the City Council and on the boards of local non-profits like the United Way, Visions Learning and Tutoring, and the Boys & Girls Club. This dual experience has given me a unique perspective, allowing me to not only help create policies but also secure meaningful grants that directly fund the work of these vital organizations.

How do you feel about the current climate in the city? 

Our residents want more from their city, and their frustration is a call to action. That’s something I can empathize with. Change happens when people are able to express their discontent. I’m certainly listening and hopefully our elected officials are too.

 If elected, what are your short-term goals?

Short term, we need to complete the Montgomery St. park project as well as our Downtown Pavilion and hire local contractors to clean up our neighborhoods.

Long-term goals?

Long term, we need to make progress on our 3rd fire station and work with our state and federal partners to ensure our Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant upgrade is funded in its entirety and completed.

Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.

While I respect our political parties, I am an unaffiliated (independent) voter and public servant committed to one platform: our entire community. My focus is on finding common ground and crafting policies that create opportunities for all residents, regardless of their personal or political beliefs.

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TownTalk: WIZS 2025 Election Coverage

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Editor’s note: WIZS News asked the 13 candidates – four incumbents and nine challengers – in the upcoming Henderson City Council election to respond to a series of questions that will be aired on WIZS and published on wizs.com in advance of the beginning of early voting for the Oct. 7 election.

Early voting begins on Thursday, Sept. 18 and ends on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Of those 13 candidates, WIZS received seven responses before the stated deadline of Friday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

The following candidates responded:

Ward 1 at-large:

  • Kenia Gómez-Jimenez
  • Clementine “Tina” Hunter

Ward 2 at-large:

  • Lamont Noel (incumbent)
  • George Mayo

Ward 3:

  • Garry Daeke (incumbent)
  • Jason Spriggs

Ward 4:

  • Catherine “Kitty” Gill

The WIZS team has compiled the responses from the candidates and they will appear in their entirety, unedited on the radio and on the website.

Visit https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/board-of-elections/ to view a complete listing of candidates for the four seats in the upcoming nonpartisan municipal election.

 

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TownTalk: Henderson-Vance Black Leadership Caucus Offers Endorsements

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The Henderson-Vance Black Leadership caucus met Saturday, Sept. 6 to hear from candidates in the upcoming municipal elections and then offer endorsements.

There are four seats on the Henderson City Council up for grabs in the Oct. 7 election. Early voting in one week, Thursday, Sept. 18.

The at-large seats in Ward 1 and Ward 2 are on the ballot, as are the Wards 3 and 4 seats.

The caucus endorsed Geraldine Champion for the Ward 1 at-large seat, and incumbents Lamont Noel for the Ward 2 at-large seat, Garry Daeke for Ward 3 and Ola Thorpe-Cooper for Ward 4.

Caucus President Terry Garrison said he was pleased with how things turned out – the candidates in attendance thoughtfully answered questions posed to them and the audience was attentive and respectful.

Former judge and current Oxford City Commissioner S. Quon Bridges served as moderator. “I think his presence made a difference as well,” Garrison said.

Garrison said the voting members of the caucus went into a special session to consider which candidates to endorse and then returned to announce the endorsements.

The Ward 1 at large contest was very close, Garrison said. Geraldine Champion got the endorsement with 8 votes over challenger Kenia Gómez-Jimenez with 7 and incumbent Sara Coffey with 6.

“It doesn’t get much closer than that,” Garrison said.

Champion currently holds the Ward 1 seat, but filed for the at-large seat during the most recent filing period. Another challenger, Clementine “Tina” Hunter was absent from the forum. She didn’t receive any votes from the caucus.

 

Following is a breakdown of votes for the other three contests awarded by the caucus:

Ward 2 at large:

Incumbent Lamont Noel – 15 votes

George Mayo – 6 votes

 

Ward 3:

Incumbent Garry Daeke – 13 votes

Deryl vonWilliams – 5 votes

Jason Spriggs – 2 votes

Clifford High – 0 votes

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TownTalk: Candidate Participation in the Upcoming Election

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As part of its continuing effort to keep listeners and readers up-to-date on local issues, WIZS Radio has sent candidates a list of questions in an effort to gather responses to be included in a special elections project that will be published and aired before the early voting period begins.

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Campaign signs are popping up along roadsides and in people’s yards, indicators that early voting for the upcoming Henderson municipal elections are not far off. Registered voters can cast ballots during the early-voting period at 500 N. Beckford Drive beginning Thursday, Sept. 18. Early voting continues Sat. Oct. 4.

Tuesday, Oct. 7 is the official Election Day, when voters will determine four seats on the eight-member City Council.

The Council Ward 1 at-large seat includes not one, but two incumbents – Council member Sara Coffey is seeking re-election, and Council member Geraldine Champion, who has the Ward 1 seat until the 2027 elections, has added her name as an at-large candidate. Newcomer Kenia Gomez-Jimenez and Clementine “Tina” Hunter also filed as candidates for the at-large seat.

Ward 2 at-large Council Member Lamont Noel is seeking to defend his seat against challengers Benjamin Buckner and George Mayo, although Buckner suspended his campaign Aug 28 and endorsed Noel.

In the contest for the Ward 3 seat, incumbent Garry Daeke faces Clifford “Cliff” High, former Council Member Jason Spriggs and Deryl “Ms. Dee” vonWilliams.

And in the Ward 4 contest, incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper faces challengers Catherine “Kitty” Gill and Fred Robertson.

Anyone who lives in the city and still needs to register to vote has until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12 to do so.

The N.C. State Board of Elections has issued a press release with details and requirements about voter registration.

“To vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality. Working within city, town, or village limits does not make a voter eligible to vote in municipal elections. Similarly, while a voter’s postal address may indicate a municipality, that does not always mean their residence is within the incorporated boundaries of the municipality,” the press release stated.

Eligible individuals who miss the regular registration deadlines may register and vote at the same time during the in-person early voting period at any early voting site in their county.

Eligible individuals have many options to register to vote, including the following:

Individuals with a North Carolina’s driver’s license or other NCDMV identification may submit a voter registration application online. Learn more at Complete Your Registration Online Through the DMV. Eligible individuals may also register in person at DMV offices.

Eligible individuals may also register to vote when applying for services at a number of state agencies. Learn more at National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

Any eligible resident can complete a Voter Registration Application in English or Spanish on paper and return it to their county board of elections office by 5 p.m. the day of the deadline:

There are 450 voters living throughout Vance County who need to provide additional information to the N.C. State Board of Elections to complete their voter registration, according to information from the SBE’s Registration Repair Project.

Individuals with incomplete voter registrations have received, or will receive, letters stating that they need to provide additional information – their driver license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number – to update their registration.

This can be done in several different ways, including by mail, in person at their county Board of Elections office or by visiting the NCDMV secure website payments.ncdot.gov. There is no fee associated with the online method and updating will not be made over the phone.

Check to see if your name is on the list at ncsbe.gov/registrationrepair.

Henderson Nonpartisan Election Results

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Voters in Henderson elected four new members to the City Council Tuesday, but the mayoral race remains uncertain, as no candidate got 50 percent of the vote.

With 898 votes, Melissa Elliott received just more than 48 percent of the vote, followed by Greg Etheridge who, with 746, garnered just over 40 percent. In a written statement sent to WIZS News Tuesday night, Etheridge indicated that he would request a runoff. If a runoff is called for, the election day would be Nov. 7.

Political newcomers shared the spotlight as the election results were tabulated.

Michael Venable defeated two challengers to win the Ward 3 at-large seat and Tami Walker defeated her two challengers handily to win the Ward 4 at-large seat.

By 8:14 p.m., WIZS News called the race for Ward 2 for Sam Seifert, who defeated incumbent Mike Rainey and challenger Janice Ward with 435 votes, a decisive 60 percent win.

The Ward 1 race was claimed by Geraldine Champion, who got 208 votes for a total of 57.14 percent. She easily defeated the other three candidates.

The evening didn’t go off without a hitch, however; Vance County Board of Elections Chairman James Baines issued a written statement Tuesday evening to report that some voters may have gotten incorrect ballots.

Here’s the statement:

“The Vance County Board of Elections is aware of a geocoding issue that may have caused some voters in the city of Henderson elections to receive a ballot in Tuesday’s election that did not have the correct alderman ward contest. The County Board immediately notified the State Board of Elections, which is working with the county to determine how many voters’ ballots were affected. Election night results are always unofficial, and the post-election canvass process will ensure that the votes are counted correctly for each contest. Election officials will provide additional information about this situation as it becomes available.”

 

In an interview Tuesday evening at the Board of Elections office, Elliott said she was excited and thankful for the citizens who chose to vote for her.

“I don’t see a runoff at all,” she told WIZS News.

Challenger Etheridge can call for a runoff; WIZS spoke with Etheridge in person after the on-air election coverage had concluded. We anticipate a statement from his campaign that will include his intentions to call for a runoff.

Champion told WIZS Tuesday evening that during her campaign, she talked to – and listened to – many in the community about issues the city faces, including the crime rate. “I’m grateful that (they) thought enough of me and believed in me to want to see a change, a difference in the city of Henderson,” she said.

About 20 percent – 1,856 out of 9,285 registered voters – cast their ballots either during the early voting period or Tuesday; polls closed at 7:30 p.m. and it didn’t take long for elections officials to receive and process the results from the city’s nine precincts.

Seifert said he was proud to be able to serve Henderson. “It’s a good feeling to come back home to Henderson…I’m proud to be able to take this next step in my journey to serve Henderson on the City Council,” he told WIZS News Tuesday by phone.

He said he looks forward to building relationships in the community and on the Council, using “good, solid decision-making so that we give Henderson our best, so Henderson can be its best.”

Ward 4 winner Walker had similar observations, stating that she had met a variety of people during her campaigning and hopes to be able to harness their support to get things done for Henderson. ”It has made me realize that you don’t have to concentrate on one thing,” she told WIZS News. “You’ll meet people along the way that have the same vision.”

Ward 3 at-large winner Venable said he is grateful to his supporters for their vote. “It feels wonderful,” he said Tuesday. “I’m ready to work and serve.” He said he wants to target economic development and address mental health issues, both of which he said are issues the community faces.

 

The totals from the Vance County Board of Elections are:

 

Mayor

Melissa Elliott 898

Greg Etheridge 746

Sara Coffey 151

Jason Spriggs 51

 

Ward 3 at-large

Michael Venable 922

Michelle Horner Wood 597

Corey Franklin 232

 

Ward 4  at-large

Tami Walker 959

George Daye 533

Lora Durham 141

 

Ward 1

Geraldine Champion 208

Symia Crews 95

Clementine Hunter 14

Corey Pearson 47

 

Ward 2

Sam Seifert 435

Mike Rainey 116

Janice Ward 173

 

 

 

WIZS Election Coverage

Town Talk 11/6/20: Developments in the Presidential Election

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Brandon Boyd, Vance County resident, businessman and guest co-host, appeared on a special edition of WIZS Town Talk Friday at 11 a.m.

Boyd and WIZS Radio’s John Charles Rose continued their coverage of the presidential election and discussed the most recent developments. Callers also expressed their opinions and shared their insights.

Click play to hear the discussion…

Election Day

Town Talk 11/3/20: Stay Tuned to WIZS for Election Coverage!

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Listen Local tonight after 7:30 when the polls close – 1450 AM / 100.1 FM

Listen Live online at anytime, anywhere with a computer, smartphone, tablet and connected devices and speakers –

https://player.listenlive.co/53101

WIZS is also on Tunein – https://tunein.com/radio/WIZS-1450-s29736/

Tell “Alexa” to “Listen to WIZS.com on Tunein.”We are right here with you, your local radio station, your community voice, your home on the radio!!

Turn the TV sound off. You’ll see all you need on the screen of the TV. Listen to local radio for the call of the Vance County Commissioners Race, Gubernatorial Race in NC, U.S. Senate, President.

We’ll also have our mix of Country, Beach, Oldies plus the added Big Bang/Jazz standards you’ve come to expect on Election Night on WIZS!

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Brandon Boyd, Vance County resident, businessman and guest co-host, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m. for a special Election Day 2020 presentation.  Boyd will re-join for election night coverage this evening as well.

“America is going to speak to us tonight,” said Boyd. “She’s going to tell us the direction we are going to be heading for the next four years in terms of the President, the next six in terms of the Senate seats; lots of House seats also up for grabs tonight. It’s just going to be an exciting night for America.”

To hear the audio, click play…

City of Henderson Logo

City of Henderson Election Oct. 10

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Local, live election returns can be heard on WIZS 1450 AM and on wizs.com Tuesday night beginning at 7:30.  In addition to the live audio on air and online, there will be a live results sheet on wizs.com that you can follow as we type in the vote totals.

The City of Henderson non-partisan election will take place Tuesday, October 10th.  Based on the number of people who filed to run for the Henderson City Council seats up for grabs this year, there is one contested race, and that’s for the Ward 4 Ward Seat.  However, the Ward 2 At Large seat will see a contest as well.

The Ward 4 Ward Seat incumbent, Fearldine Simmons, is being challenged by Blakely Lee Bates.  Simmons won the Ward 4 Ward Seat back in October of 2013 with 51.08% of the vote, when a total of 325 people from the ward voted.  Bates last ran for local office in October of 2015 when he challenged Ward 4 At Large incumbent George Daye.

The filing period in Vance County ended on July 21, 2017, and you can click here for a complete list.

For Ward 2 At Large, William Burnette filed to seek the seat being vacated by incumbent Mike Inscoe.  Inscoe did not file for re-election after serving for four consecutive terms.  Bryan Hargrove is running a write-in campaign against Burnette.  In order for a vote for a write-in candidate to count, a voter must fill in the bubble beside write-in on the ballot and then write a name, according to Deputy Director Melody Vaughan with the Vance County Board of Elections.  As for Inscoe, he explained more about his decision not to run in this link to a Daily Dispatch article on August 3.

The polls open at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10 and close at 7:30 p.m.

Early One-Stop voting has concluded.

Sara Coffey is running unopposed for the Ward 1 At Large Seat.

Garry D. Daeke is running unopposed for the Ward 3 Ward Seat.

Both Coffey and Daeke won substantially in 2013.

Ward seats are voted on exclusively by residents in the ward’s precincts.  At Large seats are voted on by all eligible voters in the city.

Seats on the Henderson City Council are elected every four years.  Also, the mayor is elected every four years.

Here in 2017, Ward 1 At Large, Ward 2 At Large, Alderman 3rd Ward and Alderman 4th Ward are being elected.  Back in 2015, the mayor was elected along with Ward 3 At Large, Ward 4 At Large, Alderman 1st Ward and Alderman 2nd Ward.