While the Nov. 7 Macon County municipal election was uneventful in Franklin, due to a vacated Town Council seat being uncontested, Highlands saw five individuals vying for three Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners’ seats. Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor wrote in his Nov. 8 weekly e-publication: “I look forward to working with our newly elected commissioners, Brian Stiehler, John Dotson, and Jeff Weller. Working with Amy Patterson and Eric Pierson, the board will have a full agenda to cover in the coming year.”
Jack Horton will continue to be the mayor of Franklin, while Robbie Tompa fills the seat on the Town of Franklin Council vacated by Adam Kimsey.
Macon County Board of Elections’ Specialist John Williams informed that beginning with the recent municipal elections, North Carolina began requiring photo identification.
“Photo ID was implemented this election and it went very smoothly,” he said. “Most people can use their driver’s license, but if they need an ID made they need to come down to our office before the next election.”
Individuals who voted by mail had to include a photo copy of an accepted photo ID when they mailed in their ballot. Passports, driver’s licenses, state ID, college or university ID, and government employee ID are some of the accepted ID forms.
“Next year is the big presidential year, of course, so it will most likely be the largest voter turnout in the history of elections. People need to make sure they are ready with a valid photo ID,” said Williams.
Any registered voter can obtain a free photo ID from the Macon County Board of Elections office, located in the courthouse in Franklin. Plus, any North Carolina resident can get a free non-driver’s ID from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
Important upcoming voting-related dates were provided by Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault.
Voter Information
- Dec. 4 – noon Candidate filing period begins
- Dec. 12 – 5 p.m. Last day to withdraw as a candidate
- Dec. 15 – noon Candidate filing period ends
Presidential Primary 2024
- Jan. 12 Absentee voting by mail begins
- Feb. 9 – 5 p.m. Voter registration deadline
- Feb. 15 – March 2 One-Stop voting
- Feb. 27 – 5 p.m. Last day to request absentee ballot by mail
- March 5 – 5 p.m Last day to return an absentee ballot
- March 5 Primary election day – all polls open (6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
For more detailed information, visit www.maconnc. org/board-of-elections.html, or call the Macon County Board of Elections office at (828) 349-2034.