Shifted precincts and pop-up tents part of Election Day in Helene's wake
Much of valley below along the North Toe River in Yancey County was destroyed by Helene. But this ridgetop voting precinct near Ramseytown escaped the heavy damage. PAUL GARBER/WFDD
Election Day did not include a normal trip to the polls for many in the Helene disaster counties of western North Carolina.
In Avery County, Banner Elk residents joined Linville voters in a combined ad-hoc precinct after their usual polling locations were too damaged for casting ballots.
In Yancey County, downed trees in the mountain forests and washed-out creeks and riverbeds remain over a month after the storm. Many voters saw their brick-and-mortar locations replaced by temporary white tents powered by generators.
Burnsville voter Christina McKenzie was undeterred by it all.
"Because I think if you live in this country it’s our duty to vote in an election regardless of who you vote for," she says. "If we are here and not participating in the process of democracy then we’re kind of taking a free ride on everyone else’s work.”
Locally, the election will have an impact on Watauga County’s Board of Commissioners. Republicans held sway with two incumbents retaining their seats and a third, Ronnie Marsh, defeating incumbent Democrat Charlie Wallin.
That’s according to complete but unofficial results.
The win will give the GOP a 3-2 advantage on the board.
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