Unofficial election results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections were updated late Tuesday night, with all precincts reporting across Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties. Posting across the state was delayed by approximately 45 minutes after voting hours were extended at a small number of voting locations in other North Carolina counties.
In Watauga County, all 20 precincts reported their final unofficial numbers by 9:40 p.m., with 23,652 ballots cast out of 44,820 registered voters. That turnout represents 52.77% of Watauga County voters. In Ashe County, all 17 precincts reported with 11,895 ballots cast out of 20,874 registered voters, representing a turnout rate of 56.98%. In Avery County, all 19 precincts reported, recording 6,742 ballots cast out of 12,484 registered voters for a turnout rate of 54.01%.
In the District 93 seat for the North Carolina House of Representatives, which encompasses both Watauga and Ashe counties, Democrat Charlie Wallin led Republican Ray Pickett in combined unofficial counts compiled by a local news report. With all precincts reporting in both counties, Wallin held 52.79% of the combined vote to Pickett’s 47.21%.
In the U.S. Senate contest, results varied significantly across the High Country as local ballots were counted alongside statewide figures. In Watauga County’s final precinct tallies, Democrat Cooper secured 62.24% of the vote (14,720 votes) compared to Republican Whatley’s 35.04% (8,288 votes). Earlier in the evening, with just early voting reported in Watauga County, Cooper stood at 68.93% and Whatley held 28.93%. As additional precincts were counted, Cooper held 68.61% of Watauga’s vote at 8:35 p.m. when 1 of 20 precincts reported, and 63.41% by 9:05 p.m. when 18 of 20 precincts reported.
In contrast, voters in Ashe and Avery counties favored Whatley. With all 17 precincts reporting in Ashe County, Whatley won 59.05% of the vote to Cooper’s 37.92%. In Avery County, early voting tallies showed Whatley leading Cooper 54.70% to 43.30%, a lead that grew to 62.95% for Whatley and 34.79% for Cooper by 9:20 p.m. when 10 of 19 precincts had reported. Across North Carolina, with 1,488 of 2,626 statewide precincts reporting by 9:21 p.m., Cooper maintained a statewide lead over Whatley, holding 59.73% of the vote at 9:25 p.m.
Voters statewide were also presented with three proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution, which require a statewide majority to pass. As of 9:21 p.m., with 1,488 of 2,626 precincts reporting statewide, all three constitutional amendments were leading in the broader vote count. In the High Country, voters in Ashe and Avery counties supported all three constitutional amendments by wide margins. Watauga County voters, with all 20 precincts reported, also supported all three amendments, though by narrower margins. Specifically, the proposed photo ID amendment passed narrowly in Watauga County with 51.52% voting for the measure and 48.48% voting against.
In local county races, early returns in Watauga County recorded early totals for the Watauga County Sheriff contest. At 8:20 p.m., early vote tallies showed Hagaman leading Church 73.25% to 26.75%. By 8:35 p.m., with 1 of 20 precincts in Watauga reporting, Hagaman held 72.87% of the local vote to Church’s 27.13%.
Local election administrators note that all figures reported on election night remain unofficial until they are formally canvassed and certified by county boards of elections.
