Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

July 24, 2008 issue


Who Can Vote and How To Vote in the Mixed-Beverage Referendum Election


Story by Kathleen McFadden

The Town of Boone mixed beverage referendum election will take place on Tuesday, August 19.

Only people who live within the Boone town limits and who are registered to vote can vote in the mixed drink election.

Voters can vote during the early voting (one-stop) period, can request an absentee ballot or can vote on election day at their precincts.

If you have any questions, call 828-265-8061.

Early Voting

Boone residents who are not registered to vote can register and vote on the same day during the early voting period.

Early voting begins Thursday, July 31, and continues on weekdays through Friday, August 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Early voting is also available on Saturday, August 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Early voting locations are at the Board of Elections office in the Watauga County Courthouse and at the Agricultural Conference Center on Poplar Grove Road.

Absentee Voting

Boone residents who are not registered to vote cannot register via absentee ballot.

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot by mail by writing a letter to the Watauga County Board of Elections stating, “I would like to request an absentee ballot for the Town of Boone Election on Mixed Beverages to be held August 19, 2008.”

The letter must include the following information:

• Full name
• Mailing address for sending the absentee ballot
• Date of birth
• Voter registration address
• Signature

The last day the Board of Elections will accept requests for absentee ballots is Tuesday, August 12. The completed absentee ballot must be received in the Board of Elections office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18, to be counted.
Send requests for absentee ballots and completed ballots to Watauga County Board of Elections, PO Box 528, Boone NC 28607.

Election Day Voting

Boone residents who are not registered to vote cannot register on Election Day. Same-day registration is available only during the early voting period.

The following Town of Boone voting precincts will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19:

Boone 1: Watauga County Administration Building (Boone residents in the Brushy Fork precinct will vote at the administration building instead of their regular precinct.)
Boone 2: Plemmons Student Union
Boone 3: Farthing Auditorium
New River 1: Watauga High School
New River 2: Three Forks Baptist Association
New River 3: National Guard Armory (Boone residents in the Blue Ridge precinct will vote at the armory instead of their regular precinct.)

In addition, the transfer voting station will be open in the Rock Building on Queen Street and at the university in the student union. If you have moved more than 30 days prior to an election and failed to notify the Board of Elections, it is a violation of the law to return to your old precinct and vote. If your new residence is in Boone, you will be allowed to vote, but you must report to one of the transfer voting stations.