Fontana Dam – It rarely happens, but in a municipality the size of Fontana Dam even two write-in votes can make all the difference.
The Graham Star was able to confirm Dec. 18 that Brooke Lerew was the write-in candidate that was previously unidentified on ballots from Nov. 4's municipal elections. Lerew joins Amanda Ryan and Andrew Stanfield – both of whom received three votes each – on the town's council.
Joshua Grant was also on the ballot for a council seat, but received zero votes. The Star has confirmed that Grant re-located from the resort town prior to the election.
Thomas Byrd won an uncontested race to be re-elected as Fontana Dam's mayor, also receiving three votes.
Fontana Dam is the smallest municipality in North Carolina. Located in the northeastern corner of Graham County, the 2020 census reported just 13 residents. Fontana Dam is home to its namesake, 480-foot-tall barrier, but only has one local business: Fontana Village Resort and Marina. Due to the geographic isolation of the town, employees are often housed around the resort and only live in the municipality while working for the resort.