Story updated 11:37 p.m.
Turnout of Jackson County voters in the municipal elections was 29.57% or in numbers 636 votes were casted out of the 2,151 eligible voters residents of Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, Forest Hills Village and Highlands. Over half of these votes were casted on Election Day, Nov. 4.
See the preliminary and unofficial results here.
Samuel McGuire and Joseph Waldrum won majority of the votes for the two open position on the Sylva town council and Perry Matthews took the unexpired Sylva town council spot.
The mayors of Sylva, Dillsboro and Webster, Johnny Phillips, Tim Parris and Leigh Anne Young, ran unopposed and won their elections.
Ron Mau is the new mayor of Village of Forest Hills with 56 votes (60.22%) against the present mayor Marcia Almond who got 36 votes (38.71%.) Amy Bollinger and Daniel Shields won the two seats on the Village of Forest Hills Council.
Brad Reisinger, Sara Stahlman and Dale Collins won most votes for the three open position on the Webster Board of Commissioners.
In Highlands only 3 people voted. The candidate for mayor, Patrick Taylor, and two board of commissioners’ candidates Amy Patterson and Eric Pierson got none of those votes. Jim Tate, the only candidate for the unexpired position on the Highlands Board of Commissioners, got 3 votes.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
In Jackson County, this Election Day for local elections has seen a better-than-expected turnout of voters. The Jackson County Board of Elections officials say a good number of voters had cast ballots, with the number increasing in the afternoon. This office is the only voting location for Sylva and Dillsboro residents.
At 5:30 p.m., there were 170 votes casted has arrived at the Jackson County Board of Elections office.
Polls remain open until 7:30 p.m., giving residents time to weigh in on town council and mayoral contests that will shape local leadership and community priorities for years to come. These elected officials will make decisions on infrastructure, public safety, housing, and environmental planning.
Official election representatives said that there were no issues or problems with equipment or voting during the day.
Jackson County Board of Elections reported 301 in-person early votes, about 10 provisional ballots, and 17 approved absentee-by-mail ballots, with only a few more expected to come on Election Day. While initial estimates placed the number of eligible voters around 2,500, officials now say the figure is closer to 2,100, with most voters residing in Sylva.
With municipal elections, voter turnout is typically lower than often, meaning each vote weighs extra when counted. WCJ will provide updated results when they are posted and will have a Whee Life podcast dedicated on the election results and post-election topics.
For Jackson County residents interested in voting in the next election in March primary election, potential voters are encouraged to check their registration status.
