No Town Races. Plenty on the Ballot.

Boone has no council or mayor races this year, and neither do Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain or Seven Devils. Town elections are held in odd years, so the next ones are in 2027. But Boone is still looking for a permanent town manager, a hire council makes, not voters.

Midterms draw fewer voters than presidential years (51% turnout in 2022, 75% in 2020). The people who show up decide a lot. Last November, three Boone council seats were won with 1,144, 1,101 and 1,040 votes.

Closer to home, the sheriff, two county commissioner seats (Districts 1 and 2) and two school board seats (Districts 1 and 4) are up. Only voters who live in those districts see the district races. Not sure which district you're in? The state's voter search shows your districts and your sample ballot. The sheriff runs the jail. Commissioners write the county budget, $87.4 million this year, and set the tax rate. It pays for the sheriff's office, EMS and $18.5 million for Watauga County Schools, whose board sets school policy.

Three amendments to the state constitution are on there too.

The income tax cap changes nothing on day one. The rate is 3.99% now and already scheduled to fall to 3.49% in 2027. The amendment would cap it at 3.5%, down from 7%, and raising it later would take another statewide vote. Supporters call it a promise kept. Opponents say it ties the state's hands in an emergency.

The property tax amendment sets no number. It orders the legislature to limit how fast the property taxes counties and towns collect can grow, and allows it to write exceptions. That could be a yearly percentage cap, a limit on rates, or something else entirely. Supporters say that gives families stability. Opponents say one rule can't fit every county. At Thursday's candidate forum, commissioner candidates from both parties agreed nobody knows what it does until the legislature writes the rules.

Photo ID applies at the polls. The state's photo ID law took effect in 2023 and covers mail ballots too, which must include a copy of an ID or an exception form. The constitution covers only voting in person. This would extend it to every method.

Registration closes Friday, Oct. 9 at 5pm. Early voting runs Oct. 15 to 31, and Watauga's sites, the student union included, are closed both middle weekends. Ashe's site is open Saturdays. Everything is on our vote page.

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