Tag Archive for: #municipalelection

TownTalk: Elliott Wins Runoff For Henderson

/by

Henderson voters have elected Melissa Elliott to be the city’s next mayor, creating a historic moment on two fronts: The Mayor-Elect will be the first woman and the first Black to lead the city.

Tuesday’s runoff election was the last piece of the puzzle that provides a complete picture of city leadership; four City Council members were elected in the Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections, but the mayor’s race was undecided until Tuesday’s runoff.

Traditionally, the new Council members and the mayor will be sworn in at the December meeting, which is set for Monday, Dec. 11.

As Elliott said in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday evening, she will only move one seat to the left in December; until she takes the mayor’s chair, she represents the Ward 3 at-large seat on the City Council.

New Council members elected on Oct. 10 include:

  • Ward 1: Geraldine Champion
  • Ward 2: Sam Seifert
  • Ward 3 at-large: Michael Venable
  • Ward 4 at-large: Tami Walker

Almost 10 percent more voters turned out for Tuesday’s runoff election than in the Oct. 10 municipal election, which included four City Council seats in addition to the mayor’s race.

As WIZS reported Tuesday night, Elliott got 1,527 votes (56.35 percent) to Etheridge’s 1,183 (43.65 percent).

Yesterday’s turnout was about 29 percent, compared with about 20 percent in the October election. A runoff was called for when no candidate received the 50 percent plus 1 vote needed to claim the win outright.

Middleburg re-elected its mayor to another term Tuesday. Ray Bullock was elected with 25 votes. He ran unopposed. Shirley Bullock got 18 votes, Hazel Baskett got 11 votes and Mamie Turner got 14 votes to fill three seats on the Town Council.

But Kittrell Mayor Jerry Joyner was upset in Tuesday’s election by Gene Pulley who got 16 write-in votes, according to information Wednesday from Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin.

Susan Pulley got 25 votes, Mary Jo Floyd got 19 and Robert Tunstall got 17 votes to fill the three City Council seats.

Cocklin said the election results remain unofficial until the canvass is completed on Nov. 17.

Find a link to all election results at https://er.ncsbe.gov/

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: Mayoral Election Runoff (NOT) Delayed

/by

UPDATE 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023

Mayoral Runoff Election Early Voting Starts 10-19-23

Geocoding issue resolved

WIZS Radio 5pm News Segment 1 From 10-18-23 Henderson Municipal Election Canvass

Click Here to Play – wizs.com/wizs-radio-5pm-news-segment-1-from-10-18-23-henderson-municipal-election-canvass/

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

UPDATE 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023 on TownTalk

 

The Local Skinny! Henderson Mayoral Contest

/by

CLICK PLAY!

Significant updates and changes have occurred since this original audio post above on Oct. 16.  It is strongly recommended that you review the new information available in bold below.

UPDATE 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023

Mayoral Runoff Election Early Voting Starts 10-19-23

Geocoding issue resolved

WIZS Radio 5pm News Segment 1 From 10-18-23 Henderson Municipal Election Canvass

Click Here to Play – wizs.com/wizs-radio-5pm-news-segment-1-from-10-18-23-henderson-municipal-election-canvass/

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. TUESDAY, OCT. 17, 2023

The Vance County Board of Elections has called for a “recess” in the post-election canvass process – that 10-day window following an election that officials have to verify and certify results.

This action comes one week after the Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in Henderson that included contests for four City Council seats and a four-candidate field for mayor.

A runoff had been set for the mayoral contest, but those plans also were put on hold earlier today, per the N.C. State Board of Elections. The recess means that none of the contests have been certified.

In a meeting held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Vance Board of Elections Chair James Baines issued the following statement:

“The Vance County Board of Elections is recessing Canvass completion for the Municipal Election that occurred on 10-October-23 because the State Board of Elections has not yet completed the investigation regarding the geocoding issue. Canvass will reconvene once the State Board of Elections notifies the County Board of the completion of the investigation and resolution to the issue.”

As elections board members explained, the process of certifying election results considers all contests as one process; results must “be submitted to the state at once,”  board member Cathy Clodfelter said Tuesday. So because all of the results have not been certified, none of the contests has been certified.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin informed WIZS News that early voting – set to begin in two days’ time – would not begin as previously announced.

Cocklin read the brief statement to WIZS News from the state board of elections:

“The results of the 10-October-2023 Vance County municipal election have not been officially declared by law, therefore the run-off election cannot be called for at this time.”

A glitch in geocoding is at the heart of the issue, and elections officials acknowledged the state board of the possible problem. As part of election coverage to announce the unofficial results on Oct. 10, WIZS included a statement from Baines that was issued after the polls had closed:

“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.”

Cocklin provided few details about next steps, but she said she has provided information to the state board as it is requested.
“They’re asking us and we’re providing information as quickly as we can,” she said. “The only thing I know is they are working on it,” she said, “meeting every day – at least once every day.”

Just in case you need a refresher course in civics, here’s some information from the state board of elections website:

“Results on election night are unofficial. Canvass is the official process of determining if the votes have been counted and tabulated correctly, resulting in the authentication of the official election results.

For close elections, the canvass period is especially important. During this time, elections officials count absentee ballots that came in before the deadline and research provisional ballots to determine whether they should be counted.

In every county, the canvass meeting when the results are certified is 10 days after Election Day. Because elections thrive on transparency, the canvass meeting is open to the public.”

TownTalk: Mayoral Race Still Uncertain

/by

The text of this story has been updated since originally posted October 11th.

The outcome of Tuesday’s Henderson mayoral race remains uncertain, and the two top vote-getters are headed to a Nov. 7 runoff election.

Melissa Elliott earned 898 votes from the 1,856 individuals who voted in the nonpartisan municipal elections, which constitutes 48.57 percent – just short of the 50 percent, plus 1 vote state statute requires to be considered the winner.

Greg Etheridge garnered 746 votes, just more than 40 percent. Etheridge said in an email Wednesday that he had submitted his request for a runoff to the county board of elections.

Elliott said as of Wednesday that provisional ballots and mail-in ballots were yet to be included in the overall count, so she said it was premature as of Wednesday for her to comment on a possible runoff.

In a written statement sent Tuesday evening to WIZS News, Etheridge thanked his supporters and laid out plans for a Nov. 7 runoff.

In part, his statement read: “You are the reason I am going to continue the fight for safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, jobs with living wages, a vibrant downtown, and lower property taxes in our wonderful hometown.”

About 20 percent of the city’s residents voted during the early voting period and Tuesday’s election day – 1,856 of the city’s 9,285 registered voters.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Elliott said she chooses not to criticize those who did not vote, but she applauds those who did come out to vote.

“Right now, I’m the winner and I’m going to stay the winner,” she said.

Elections officials planned to open the provisional ballot box on Friday, Oct. 13 at 12 noon.

A simple math problem shows that of those 9,285 registered voters, 1,856 exercised their right to vote, leaving a whopping 7,429 who did not vote at all.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Terry Garrison

TownTalk: Black Leadership Caucus Endorses Candidates For Oct. 10 Municipal Election

/by

The following is part of continuing coverage on the upcoming Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in the City of Henderson:

 

The Henderson-Vance Black Leadership Caucus held a candidate forum recently and has announced their endorsements for the upcoming municipal elections, now just a couple of weeks away.

Terry Garrison is president of the caucus and he spoke with WIZS News about the Sept. 7 candidates’ forum; his interview was aired on Thursday’s Towntalk.

The caucus voted to endorse the following candidates:

  • Mayor: Melissa Elliott
  • Ward 1: Geraldine Champion
  • Ward 2: Janice Ward
  • Ward 3 at-large: Michael Venable
  • Ward 4 at-large Tami Walker

 

“We certainly are appreciative to each one of the candidates,” Garrison said, “and their willingness to serve.”

The endorsement process was not easy, he said. “The forum, without a doubt, was a big part of that process, but also the members’ familiarity with candidates was also a factor.”

Ultimately, Garrison said it came down to which candidate the caucus members felt best represented their interests and the interests of the city of Henderson.

“Race…was not a driving force with endorsements made by the caucus,” he said; rather, “the way the candidates responded…they were the kind of responses they wanted to hear,” Garrison noted.

“All of the candidates gave a good response, and it was not an easy decision (or) an easy choice,” he said.

According to Garrison, more than 90 percent of the candidates that the caucus has endorsed in past elections have won their contests – at least in Vance County. They may not have won the overall state or national election, but they’ve carried Vance County.

“But we have also endorsed candidates who have lost – it’s not a slam dunk,” he said.

He encouraged all the candidate to continue to “campaign hard and the best candidate will win.”

He also encouraged everyone to come to the polls and cast their ballots.

“If people don’t vote, they don’t have a voice,” he said, “because they didn’t participate in the process.”

Garrison said he is optimistic that whoever gets elected will have the best interests of the community at heart. “I have hope for America and this state,” he said. “Despite our differences, we share one thing in common – we are all human beings. Underneath the skin, the blood is the same.”

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: Ward 4 At-Large Candidates Answer Questions

/by

Note: This is the fifth of five TownTalk segments to provide election coverage for the upcoming Oct. 10 municipal elections in Henderson. Today, we’ll hear from the candidates for the Ward 4 at-large seat.

WIZS posed the same questions to all 17 candidates running for the five races – mayor, Ward 1 and Ward 2 seats, as well as the at-large seats in Wards 3 and 4.

Some of the candidates responded to the questions in written form and others were recorded in phone interviews and their responses were transcribed for inclusion in this story. Online readers will notice direct quotes in the answers; information not in direct quotes is paraphrased to provide concise text and readability.

The candidates’ responses appear in alphabetical order, beginning with George Daye, and continuing with Tami Walker. Lora Durham, who also filed for the Ward 4 at-large seat, did not provide responses, despite numerous attempts to reach her by phone call, text message, email and correspondence via the U.S. Postal Service.

Early voting begins Thursday, Sept. 21 and ends Oct. 7.

1.   Why are you running for elected office?

George Daye: “I filed because I was interested in going back (on the City Council) and wanted to work with the new manager. The day I filed, that was what I wanted.” He said that when sitting Council member Jason Spriggs filed for mayor, he was spurred on to file for the seat he had previously held.  “Jason filed for the mayor role and I just feel like I could go there and do some good,” Daye said.

Tami Walker: “I am running for elected office because I have served my country and now I am ready to serve my hometown community.”

2.  What’s your platform?

Daye: Daye acknowledged in a telephone interview that he had second thoughts about filing for the Ward 4 at-large seat, but “if they vote for me, I’ll do the best I can.”

Walker: Walker listed the following topics: Senior citizens’ rights and assistance, assisting hometown veterans, the disabled and active-duty, as well as support and inclusion of youth. “Children deserve a great education, neighborhood and support system of family and friends to develop into great citizens,” Walker said.

3.  What are the top three issues that, in your opinion, this city faces in the next two years?  Five years?

Neither candidate directly addressed the question about the top three issues that Henderson faces in the near future.

4.   As an elected official, how will you address these issues?

Daye: Daye said that, during his previous term on the City Council, he strived to be attentive during meetings to conduct the business of the city. “When I was on the council, I was in business. I saw some people that were sitting in the council meeting and (they) would answer their telephones. I thought that was a disgrace. Despite effects of severe asthma, Daye said he took his role seriously.

Walker: Walker stated that she would address the issues through “education and action (and by) using the resources available to me as an elected official. “

5.  What is your experience in the public sector?

Daye: Daye has served previously on the City Council in the Ward 4 at-large seat. He opted not to run for re-election when Jason Spriggs showed interest in running for the seat.

Walker: “ I am a retired veteran, a Vance County schools retiree, a volunteer and humanitarian. I enjoy interacting with the public sector.”

6.  If you are a newcomer to politics, what role do you see yourself playing as a member of an elected body?

Walker: “I see myself as a team member listening to my community, and doing my best to grow in my role, while using resources to find resolutions to the issues that my community brings forth.”

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

Daye: “When I went and filed,” Daye said, “I was gung ho” to run for Council. But, he said, “the spirit hasn’t hit me yet to get out there and fight for that position.” If he is elected, however, he said he would do his best to serve the people of Henderson.

Walker: Walker said she looks forward to serving her community as a Council member. “This is my neighborhood and my community,” she stated. (It’s) where I grew up. The people are nice and welcoming. Growing up near Pinkston Street School, Walker said she could hear the school bell ring from her house.  It was a short walk to elementary school for her in 1974 or 1975, right after integration, and then she walked a little farther to Henderson Junior High. “I had one of the best childhood ever,” she said.

CLICK PLAY!

TownTalk: Ward 3 At-Large Candidates Answer Questions

/by

Note: This is the fourth of five TownTalk segments to provide election coverage for the upcoming Oct. 10 municipal elections in Henderson. Today, we’ll hear from the candidates for the Ward 3 at-large seat.

WIZS posed the same questions to all 17 candidates running for the five races – mayor, Ward 1 and Ward 2 seats, as well as the at-large seats in Wards 3 and 4.

Some of the candidates responded to the questions in written form and others were recorded in phone interviews and their responses were transcribed for inclusion in this story. Online readers will notice direct quotes in the answers; information not in direct quotes is paraphrased to provide concise text and readability.

The candidates’ responses appear in alphabetical order, beginning with Kory Franklin and continuing with Michelle Horner Wood. Candidate Michael Venable did not provide any information, despite numerous attempts to contact him by phone, text, email and hand delivery of a written request for information.

Early voting begins Thursday, Sept. 21 and ends Oct. 7.

1.  Why are you running for elected office?

Kory Franklin: “Family and accountability are not just values to me; they are the very essence of my commitment to public service. I come from a family deeply dedicated to city governance, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of community-driven initiatives that address the real needs of our people. I firmly believe that Henderson has the potential to become a thriving city, but it begins with us. To address the challenges and opportunities before us, we must first embody these core values of family, accountability, self-respect, and respect for others.”

Michelle H. Wood: “I am running for City Council Ward 3 at-large. I am here to listen to the people and be a voice for them. The citizens of Henderson feel they are not heard – that is heartbreaking. I want to work with fellow City Council members to achieve what is important to the citizens of Henderson to bring a better quality of life to everyone (who) calls Henderson home.” She said she is eager to share ideas about how to bring positive momentum to help Henderson become the best it can be.”

2.  What’s your platform?

 Franklin: “As I embark on my journey into public office, I am passionate about continuing the legacy of community service. I’m driven to apply the knowledge and values I’ve gained to confront the pressing issues of our time. From promoting economic growth and addressing housing affordability to ensuring educational excellence, enriching our cultural landscape, and implementing programs to inspire our youth and reduce crime.  I am convinced that together, we can build a stronger and more vibrant community where every resident has the opportunity to thrive. Remember, when people take pride in their city, they become deeply invested in its well-being and growth. Let’s stand together as OneCity, OnePeople, and make our vision for Henderson a reality.”

Wood: “We need rising wages inside the city of Henderson rather than a rising crime rate. (We need) equal and fair housing opportunities for everyone with proper code enforcement…put local government back to work for the citizens of Henderson.”

3.  What are the top three issues that, in your opinion, this city faces in the next two years?  Five years?

Franklin: Franklin identified top issues for the city which include reducing crime, having more affordable housing, cleaner neighborhoords, economic growth, responsible budgeting, mental health programs and tackling prejudice.

Wood: Wood said addressing the issue of affordable and safe housing will take years to correct. “There are people living in houses that are deplorable,” she said. Henderson certainly isn’t the only city that experiences crime, and Wood said she believes that the city can “create activities and safe places for the young people to go. Also, working to fill all the open positions for the police and sheriff department” is a priority. Wood also identified the division within the city as an issue to address. “I want to unite the people. We are children of God and I want to create an environment of equality. Everyone in this city and county is important,” she said.

4.  As an elected official, how will you address these issues?

Franklin: “Crime is undoubtedly a pressing issue in our city, but addressing it goes hand in hand with providing our youth with meaningful alternatives. We must recognize that the absence of programs such as sports, summer camps, arts, music, and technology initiatives can inadvertently push our young folks toward criminal activities. Policing alone won’t resolve this problem; what we truly need are programs that not only deter crime but also instill values of commitment, growth, teamwork, confidence, and opportunities for a brighter future.”
He called affordable housing. “vital component of our community’s well-being.” We need housing initiatives that offer stability and security, allowing homeowners and renters to weather unexpected challenges without facing financial ruin. “Clean and safe neighborhoods are crucial for our collective pride. We should all take pride in keeping our neighborhoods clean, ensuring they are places where families can thrive and feel safe. Encouraging community involvement in neighborhood clean-up efforts can make a significant difference.” Fostering economic growth, investing in mental health programs and responsible city budgeting also are key components that Franklin identified as key issues. To foster economic growth, we need to encourage, support, and train residents to become entrepreneurs and small business owners. I know our city is filled with innovative minds they just don’t know how to start.  “Prejudice is a challenge we must confront head-on. It’s a choice we can make—to respect and value one another regardless of our differences. Promoting diversity and inclusion should be a priority, and we can do this through education and community and cultural events, featuring music, food, games, arts, and crafts, can strengthen our bonds as a community.”

Wood: Housing is holding landlords accountable, Wood said, but also (holding accountable) homeowners to make sure people are safe. Whether renting or owning a home, residents should be responsible for keeping the property clean and should keep trash picked up. “Crime is always going to be a work in progress,” Wood said. “I want to have quarterly street meetings – meeting people where they are,” she said. “I enjoy getting out there visiting people. Some of the best conversations are held on citizens’ porches. This will help with the division in our city as well.”

5.  What is your experience in the public sector?

Franklin: “My father’s remarkable 30-year tenure as the chief of Economic and Housing Development in our city taught me the profound difference that public service can make in transforming a community. Growing up in this environment, I learned early that self-respect and respect for others are not just ideals; they are essential qualities that underpin a thriving community.”

Wood: “My heart has always been with the public sector, although I have not held an official position. I have been in many leadership positions in my life,” she said, including being a lay speaker at her church, youth leader, store manager and currently as director of operations for Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society. Wood said she has been attending City Council meetings as a citizen for the past two or more years.

6.  If you are a newcomer to politics, what role do you see yourself playing as a member of an elected body?

Franklin: “My role as a newcomer to politics is all about being committed to actively engaging with our residents and constituents to identify gaps and find the solutions that make a difference. We’ll work together to support sustainable economic growth, find solutions to make housing more affordable, champion quality education for our youth, and ensure that cultural enrichment remains a fundamental part of our community.”

Wood: Her role as a member of an elected body, she said, is “to voice the important matters for the people of my ward and the whole city. I am here to ensure policies are being upheld. The city has many tools available to correct most of the problems. The ordinances and policies are there,” she said, it’s a matter of holding the correct people/persons accountable.

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

Franklin: “I wholeheartedly invite you to join me on this transformative journey to create a city that we can all be proud to call home. Together, we will uphold the values of family, accountability, self-respect, and respect for others, shaping a brighter future for us all.”

Wood: Wood, a lifelong resident of Vance County, has lived in Ward 3 since 1999. She is a 1991 graduate of Southern Vance High School and attended Vance Granville Community College. She is married to Barry Wood, also a lifelong resident of Henderson. Candidate Wood works for Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society as the director of operation of the non-profit organization. Wood stated that there is a need for effective leadership and common sense, fair policy making for everyone involved.

CLICK PLAY!

 

I Voted Sticker

Municipal Elections Could Be Postponed If Senate Bill Passes

/by

Henderson officials are waiting to learn results of a meeting today in Raleigh that could change the date of the 2021 municipal elections from the current date of Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Senate Bill 722 hasn’t passed into law yet, but it proposes that municipalities must consider data from the 2020 U.S. Census to before scheduling elections, according to Vance County’s Board of Elections Director Faye M. Gill.

Gill told WIZS News Monday that four seats on the Henderson City Council are up for election in 2021.

The proposed bill was scheduled to be discussed Monday afternoon in a meeting of the Rules and Operations State Senate Committee. If it passes into law, municipalities must use 2020 Census data to “review and revise its electoral districts” before holding elections.

Gill said at-large seats for Wards 1 and 2, currently held by council members Sara Coffey and William Burnette, respectively, are up for election in 2021, as well as Ward seats 3 and 4, held by Gary Daeke and Ola Thorp-Cooper, respectively.

Changes in district lines send a ripple effect through elections processes, and Gill said since candidates must reside in the district they represent, it will be important to know whether district lines have changed. “It just depends on where the lines are drawn,” she said. The City Council would determine that the electoral districts accurately reflect the Census data, and the board of elections would see the process through.

Gill’s main concern is “whoever runs is running in the correct ward,” and voters are voting in the correct ward, too.

As it stands now, filing for the 2021 City of Henderson election will begin on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 12 noon and will end on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 at 12 noon. Filing fee is $10.

Municipal elections are set for Tuesday, Oct. 5. If necessary, a runoff date is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 2.

If the bill becomes law, the filing dates and the election dates would be pushed back to give council time to verify electoral districts are accurate. Municipalities would have until mid-November to do so.

“It hasn’t passed yet,” Gill said of Senate Bill 722. “We’ve not been told to do anything yet,” she said.