Run off set for Tuesday

The run off election for the Republican Party will be held on Tuesday (May 30). Only two names will be on the ballot seeking their party's nomination for the Alleghany County Commission—incumbent Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and challenger William "Bill" Caudill. Herndon edged Caudill by about a five-percent margin in the first primary, which was held on May 2. However, citing the fact that some unaffiliated voters were not given a proper ballot choice and thus not allowed to vote in the Republican primary, Caudill requested the run off.

A further problem was experienced last week when the state failed to get the program to operate the voting machines to the county on time. The program was delivered on Friday evening, which was supposed to be the second day of one stop voting at the Board of Elections Office in Sparta. The paper ballots for the election were not delivered to the office until Monday afternoon.

Kate Cosner, recently hired as director of elections, said the local office had no control over the state's delivery of the software needed to operate the machines or the paper ballots. Thus, those who came to vote on those first two days were given the option to return at a later time or request an absentee ballot by mail.

"I do apologize for the inconvenience to those who came by on Thursday and Friday," Cosner said. "I am available to answer any questions or listen to voters comments and concerns."

Cosner said that about 50 people had come by to vote one stop between May 18 and Monday afternoon, but only about 15 had actually cast ballots. Eight others requested ballots by mail and the others said they would return to vote once the machines were operational.

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