Early voting for the Franklin and Highlands municipal elections begins Thursday, Oct. 16, and will continue through Saturday, Nov. 1
Voters can cast their ballots at the Robert Carpenter Community Building (1288 Georgia Rd.) or at the Highlands Civic Center (600 N. 4th St.). Only voters who live in the city limits can vote in a municipal election.
Macon County Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault said people can vote at either location during early voting but must vote at their proper precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
On Election Day, Franklin Town Hall will be open for voting from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Highlands residents will vote at the Highlands Civic Center on Election Day.
Franklin election
Mayor Jack Horton announced in June he would not run for re-election. Stacy Guffey and Matt Holland are running for the mayor’s seat.
Guffey was up for re-election on the Town Council and council member David Culpepper chose not to run for a third term, which means there will be at least two new council members to take office in December. Incumbent Rita Salain is running for re-election. Joining her on the ballot are political newcomers Kelton Bailey, Jeff Berry, Tim Cook, Travis Higdon and Paul Thatcher.
Kore Newman’s name is on the ballot for the council race; however, he withdrew from the race after the ballots were set.
Town Council members are elected to four-year terms and the mayor serves a two-year term.
Highlands election
Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor is running unopposed as are incumbent town commissioners Amy Patterson and Eric Pierson. Jim Tate is seeking to fill the seat left vacant when Commissioner Brian Stiehler moved outside the town limits, meaning he is unqualified to remain on the Highlands Board of Commissioners.
Voter turnout
Thibault is expecting a higher turnout than in 2023.
“In the last municipal election, we had around 200 voters, but most races were uncontested,” Thibault said. “This year, with the mayor’s race in Franklin and the council member seats, we are predicting around 500.”
In 2023, Franklin Mayor Jack Horton and council members Mike Lewis, Joe Collins and Robbie Tompa all ran unopposed.
There are 2,922 people registered to vote in the town of Franklin and 986 in Highlands. Oct. 10 was the deadline to register to vote. Eligible residents who did not register by last Friday may register and vote on the same day during early voting, but not on Election Day. New registrants must provide proof of residency.
Absentee ballots must be requested by 5 p.m. Oct. 21 from the Macon County Board of Elections (828-349-2034) or online at votebymail.ncsbe.gov.
Voter ID
Per North Carolina law, voters must present photo identification to vote. A drivers license or DMV issued identification card will qualify for most voters. People who do not have an ID can get a free one made at the Macon County Board of Elections, located on the first floor of the Macon County Courthouse on Main Street, Franklin.
For information about Voter ID or other election-related questions, call the Macon County Board of Elections at 828-349-2034. Information is available online from the N.C. Board of Elections at ncsbe.gov.