Last Updated on March 2, 2026 6:53 pm
Polls open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday across North Carolina for the 2026 primary election. Voters in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties will find contested local races on the ballot in addition to statewide and federal contests.
Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Any voter in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote. On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned polling place. Voters can look up their polling place and sample ballot at the NC State Board of Elections Voter Search tool.
Voters will be asked to show a photo ID when checking in to vote. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID, passport, or other approved photo identification. Voters who do not have a photo ID can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form at their polling place.
Watauga County
Watauga County has several contested local races on the primary ballot.
County Commission District 2 – Democratic Primary: David Luther and Ray Russell are competing for the Democratic nomination.
Clerk of Superior Court – Democratic Primary: Holly Fehl and Jon Fullen are on the ballot.
Board of Education District 1 (Nonpartisan): Yolanda Adams, Ellen Lamont, and Carrie McClain are running for one seat.
Board of Education District 4 (Nonpartisan): Chad Cole, David Aaron Grig, Megan (Chayyim) Kornhauser, and Betsy Rosenbalm are competing for one seat.
Ashe County
Board of Commissioners – Republican Primary (Vote for 3): Mike Eldreth, Derek Calhoun, Jerry D. Powers, and Todd A. McNeill are vying for three seats.
Sheriff – Republican Primary: Earl Cox, B. Phil Howell, and Brandon Shepherd are in a three-way race.
Board of Education – Republican Primary (Vote for 3): Dianne Eldreth, Wes Calbreath, Janet Ward, and Shane E. Little are running for three seats.
Avery County
Board of Commissioners – Republican Primary (Vote for 3): Eight candidates are competing for three seats: Robert Burleson, Dennis Aldridge, Keisha Young, Robin Ollis, Chris Lyerly, Martha Jaynes Hicks, Jason Grindstaff, and Dillon S. Gentry.
Clerk of Superior Court – Republican Primary: Teresa I. Benfield and Linda Webb are on the ballot.
Board of Education (Vote for 2): Five candidates are running for two seats: Patricia (Pat) Edwards, Coleman Bailey, Randy Singleton, Trey Oakley, and Lan Holtsclaw.
Federal and State Races
All three counties will vote in the U.S. Senate primaries for both parties. The Democratic primary features six candidates including Roy Cooper, while the Republican primary also has a crowded field of seven candidates.
Watauga and Ashe counties are in U.S. House District 5, where Virginia Foxx faces challengers in the Republican primary and the Democratic primary features two candidates. Avery County is in U.S. House District 11.
Judicial races on the ballot include NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 1 (Republican primary), NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 3 (Democratic primary), and NC District Court Judge races.
Voting Information
Voters affiliated with a political party may only vote in their party's primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote in any one party's primary or on a nonpartisan ballot. A voter cannot vote in more than one party's primary.
If no candidate reaches the vote threshold to win a primary contest, the runner-up can request a second primary to be held on May 12, 2026.
WataugaOnline.com will post unofficial results as they come in Tuesday night.
For more information, visit the NC State Board of Elections.
