Provisionals could provide shift
Natasha Williams
Robbinsville – Just three votes separate a pair of Graham County Republican candidates vying for a spot in the general election.
The Graham County Board of Elections opened exactly three absentee ballots Monday evening, with Natasha Williams and Andy Lynn now sitting at 696 and 693 respective votes from the May 17 primary. Incumbent Jacob Nelms has a cozy lead at 769 votes, while another incumbent – Lynn Cody – sits at 711. Nelms and Cody both received two more votes when the absentee ballots were unsealed.
However, The Graham Star confirmed with election director Teresa Garland on May 19 that a runoff for the third spot would not take place – no matter the outcome – citing N.C. G.S. 163-111(a)(2). In short, a vote for three seats is not eligible for a runoff when the top three vote-getters each obtain more than 10 percent of the nod.
“If nominees for two or more offices (constituting a group) are to be selected, and there are more persons seeking nomination than there are offices, the substantial plurality shall be ascertained by dividing the total vote cast for all aspirants by the number of positions to be filled, and by multiplying the result by thirty percent (30%),” the statute reads. “Any excess of the sum so ascertained shall be a substantial plurality, and the aspirants who obtain a substantial plurality shall be declared the nominees.
“If more candidates obtain a substantial plurality than there are positions to be filled, those having the highest vote (equal to the number of positions to be filled) shall be declared the nominees.”
Sheriff
That is not the case for the Graham County sheriff race. Incumbent Jerry Crisp leads Russell Moody 414-410 in the primary race. Neither man received any additional votes Monday, with Dennis Crisp picking up a pair of supporters and Louanne McMahan earning one. Dennis has collectively obtained 292 votes, while McMahan now has 198.
Provisional ballots will be tallied tonight, with canvassing taking place Friday morning.
The Graham Star was informed late Tuesday morning that Moody had filed a written request for a second primary against Jerry Crisp. One-stop (early) voting for the second primary will begin Thursday, July 7, with the second primary itself occurring Tuesday, July 26.