Opting for experience over upstarts , Haywood County residents gave incumbent commissioners Jennifer Best and Tommy Long a vote of confidence in Tuesday night’s Republican Primary Election, and also pushed retired wrecker operator Terry Ramey on to November.

This year’s primary election in North Carolina will take place Tuesday, May 17, but early voting begins April 28. Below is a round up of most of the elections taking place in The Smoky Mountain News’ four county coverage area, gathered all in one place so you don’t have to go searching for it. Exercise your right to vote!

As Greg Christopher enters his 43rd and likely final year in law enforcement, he goes out with his reputation intact and a scandal-free 10-year tenure as Haywood County’s sheriff.

Residents of Jackson County are tasked with selecting a new sheriff during the midterm elections this year. But first, voters must select both a Republican and Democratic nominee from a pool of primary candidates. 

Haywood County Board of Elections recently voted on a plan addressing COVID-19 concerns to present to the North Carolina State Board of Elections for approval.

(Editor's note: This story was originally published on Feb. 22, but has been updated with new information as of Feb. 25.)   

A Smoky Mountain News investigation into a mysterious handout distributed at polling places during early voting casts serious aspersions on the legitimacy of an endorsement of congressional candidate Lynda Bennett by a previously unknown, hastily formed political action committee with ties to one of her campaign consultants.

A flurry of last-minute sign-ups means that 2020 will likely be a lively election season in Western North Carolina and beyond.

Early voting is now over in Cherokee, with polls to open for the Primary Election on Thursday, June 6, in what has already been an eventful election season. 

By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist

Every member of Congress is required to swear loyalty to the Constitution, not to the president. But most of the Republicans seem to have it the wrong way. They’ve debased themselves to Donald Trump so thoroughly that you have to wonder when, if ever, they will remember their oaths. Would they let him disregard the results of the next election should he lose it?

Jackson County voters went for a mixture of something different and stay the course when they cast their Primary Election votes May 8.