Extended poll hours and large early voting action delayed official results posting

The robust early voting in Burke County, coupled with a computer glitch in one precinct, delayed for a couple of hours the official posting of results on  the state's Election Dashboard. 

The computer error in the Pilot Mountain Precinct #72 was quickly fixed (it was a boot-up issue) and it extended the voting deadline to 8 p.m. from 7:30 p.m. 

State regulations prevent local election boards from processing any voting data until all precincts are closed. Kenny Rhyne, director of Burke's Elections board, said the first set of election data uploaded to N.C. Board of Elections is early voting results. 

"When we extended the hours to 8 p.m. we couldn't shut anything down (for processing) at 7:30 p.m.," Rhyne said.

With 60.5% of registered voters casting ballots early — 36,990 out of 61,075 — the processing and uploading of results took longer that usual. "Those machines took forever to print tapes because of early voting," Rhyne said.

By the time Rhyne and his team processed and uploaded to Raleigh Burke County's election results, data streams from 99 other counties were pouring into North Carolina's central election computer. "All of the counties were reporting to the same database," Rhyne said.

As a pivotable battleground state, North Carolina was frequently the center of attention on national news networks covering the election. For the first few hours after polls closed across the state, Burke County stood out on network's election maps as one of the few counties with results pending.

Burke's Upper Creek-Smyrna Baptist Church precinct was damaged by Hurricane Helene. FEMA set up a temporary tent with facilities to service that area's voters. The precinct was the focus of many news outlets, Rhyne said, including the BBC, regional television stations, and some national coverage. 

There were no reported complications with the precinct.

Rhyne's team expects to be finished later this week processing the demographic breakdown from each precinct.

For the latest vote tallies CLICK HERE for the statewide and local results. 

UPDATE WEDNESDAY, 6:30 A.M.: REPUBLICANS SWEEP BURKE

With all 31 Burke County precincts reporting, Republican candidates swept contest across the county.

Ballots cast totaled 45,771 out of 60,596 registered voters in Burke. This represents a 75.53% turnout.

Voters decidedly rejected the local sales and tax use referendum with 33,061 voting against and 9,602 voting in favor.

In the 2020 General Election the Burke County Board of Elections reported that 44,759 local registered voters cast ballots.

UPDATE 4:13 P.M.: FEMA TENT HOLDING UP WELL AT UPPER CREEK PRECINCT

Outside, a cold, drizzling, rain pelted the roof of a spacious FEMA tent with a soft but steady pitter-patter.

Inside, all was as it should have been at a rural voting precinct on Election Day. Poll workers at Burke County’s Upper Creek Precinct on Brown Mountain Beach Road checked in voters with friendly smiles. Neighbors chatted about everything from road closures to sick pets to recent long work weeks. 

And people – more people than usual – cast their ballots.

“We’ve had about 106 or 108,” said Chief Judge Richard Coleman. “I’ve worked at this precinct the last 18 years and that’s more than we normally see. It’s been steady, but we haven’t been overwhelmed.”

Upper Creek’s usual polling place, the fellowship hall of Smyrna Baptist Church, was out of commission, flooded by Upper Creek during Hurricane Helene. It was the only county voting site that suffered damage. 

Enter the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At the behest of Burke Director of Elections Kenny Rhyne, FEMA put up a huge, aluminum-framed tent complete with flooring.

It was guarded around the clock the day and night prior to the election.

It was cool, but dry and comfortable inside.

“It’s been great except for being a little chilly and damp,” said poll worker Susan Keaton. “But everyone has been very understanding.”

‘Everyone’ in this case included more than just voters – several TV stations and the BBC network had already visited the site as of early afternoon Tuesday.

— MQ 

 Live Election Results: CLICK HERE

UPDATE 3:30 P.M.: CANDIDATE'S WIFE CAMPAIGNS AT LAKE JAMES FIRE DEPARTMENT

Brenda Camp, wife of Brad Camp, was spotted at Precinct 20, Lake James Volunteer Fire Department. 

Camp's husband, Brad Camp, is on the ballot for Burke County Board of Education Western District. He has no opposition.

She approached voters heading inside.

"Sir, would you like a conversative voter guide?"

Precinct 20 was not an early voting location. Today's turnout has been steady but slow, like much of the county. 

Mandi Osgood, voter at Precinct 20, shared her worries about the outcome of today's election.

"Mark Robinson winning and my rights as a woman. Just rights in general. He [Robinson] believes in being subservient... Not to mention he's a self proclaimed Nazi," Osgood said.

Osgood also commented on the local election in Burke.

"I actually work with Gena Singleton who is running for the House of Representatives. She's the head of the Democratic Party here in Burke and I absolutely love her. She's a wonderful person that cares about all of the individuals she works with," Osgood said. "She is really here for the people."

Other voters at Precinct 20 were open to comment, but shy about being featured in the today's news.

— CP

UPDATED 2:30 P.M.: MORGANTON'S TURNOUT LIGHT DURING RAINY AFTERNOON HOURS

While hearty election volunteers, wearing rain garb and holding umbrellas, staffed the parking lots at two of Morganton's precincts, the flow of voters was moving at a leisurely pace casting their ballots.

CoMMA (Precinct 31) and the Burke County Senior Citizens Center (Precinct 34) reflected the voting pattern seen throughout the county.

With early voting totals at over 60% of registered voters, and typical General Election turnouts in the mid 70% range, voter turnout on this election day was predictably light. At CoMMA, 146 voters had cast ballots by 2:15 p.m.

UPDATED 1:20 P.M.: STEADY BUT LIGHT TURNOUT IN VALDESE

At the Lovelady 1 precinct located in Valdese Elementary School, 109 voters had cast ballots as of 12:30 p.m. "It's going pretty good," poll worker Laura Johnson said, "It's been a good stream. ...I hope everyone comes out to vote."

— SB

UPDATED 11 A.M.: ELECTION DAY BEGINS WITH GRAY SKIES, COOL TEMPS & DRIZZLE

Voting was reported slow but steady at precincts across Burke County today, an unsurprising Election Day turnout considering that 60% of the county’s registered voters had already cast ballots in the early voting period.

A gray sky, cool temperatures, and a persistent fall of light rain marked election morning as the first measurable precipitation since Hurricane Helene fell across the county.

Those who did make the journey to their assigned polling place found short lines.

For example, at Lovelady 4, which votes at the Valdese Splash Pad building, 81 voters had cast ballots as of 8:45.

"It's been steady," said chief election Judge Terri Self. "I expect we'll vote 500 to 600 people before the day is over."

At Rutherford College Town Hall, voting site for the Lovelady 2 Precinct, only 29 voters cast their ballots in the first hour and a half the polls were open – a marked contrast to the nearly 1,600 people who voted during the early voting period.

Election workers at Rutherford College did have to direct several would-be voters to their home precincts, noting that on Election Day voters must vote in the precincts where they live.

 Live Election Results: CLICK HERE

The gray skies and slow turnout did nothing to dampen the spirits of either Mary Kropiwnicki or Mary Schachtschneider who waited to greet voters as they arrived in the Town Hall parking lot.

Kropiwnicki was representing N.C. Sen. Warren Daniel, a candidate for re-election, while Schachtschneider was pushing support of the entire Democratic ticket.

The two campaigners were parked right beside each other and seemed to be enjoying each other's company during the dreary morning.

At High Peak Baptist Church, voting site for Drexel Precinct 3, Ann Blackwell, wife of N.C. Rep. Hugh Blackwell, stood beneath an umbrella in the heavy drizzle urging support for her husband’s re-election campaign.

Blackwell also took care to thank each voter as they emerged from the church after casting their ballot.

“I think it’s important that people know how much we appreciate them taking the time and making the effort to vote,” she said.

Among those casting ballots at the church was Patricia Morgan, a mother of four who brought her 15-year-old daughter Maggie to the polls with her.

“I’ve always taken my children with me to the polls since they’ve been old enough to go,” said the elder Morgan. “I think it’s important that they learn how the process works and see how they can participate in it.”

Maggie, a sophomore at Draughn High School, said she is looking forward to casting her first ballot in a few years.

As late morning neared, the drizzle and rain picked up across the county, perhaps further dampening the Election Day turnout.

At Mull Elementary School, 63 people had voted as of just before 11 a.m. and poll workers outnumbered voters in the school gym.

The polls will remain open at all Burke County precincts until 7:30 p.m. today.

— BP

 Live Election Results: CLICK HERE