This entry will complete the 2020 Election Season Album. This page is a handy recap of League events that began with the promotion of voter registration and concluded with encouraging voter participation—all during a pandemic. It may contain familiar images and words. Please feel free to reminisce.
The Boards of Elections Directors in the Unifour area took time to assess what went well during the general election of 2020. The comments for each county leads off with each director's October quote about the security of their voting process, first published in the October League newsletter. The newer quotes are their individual reflections, now that the November election is over.
Shortly after the elections, LWVCV members delivered to the four directors and their staffs breakfast/lunchtime treats. It was a small act to demonstrate our big belief that these professionals and their staffs are proven leaders in supporting our motto: Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
Catawba Valley Boards of Elections Directors Assured us there would be Secure Elections. Here is what they said when the election was over:
Alexander County
"The voting process works. Period."
Patrick Wike, Director
October, 2020
I’m proud of all our Early Voting and Election Day workers. These individuals stepped up to be on the frontline of democracy. They put their personal safety aside and worked long hours to ensure voters could cast a ballot safely and efficiently during Tropical Storm Zeta and amid a global pandemic. I’m incredibly thankful for these public servants and their dedicated service to our community and our democracy.
January, 2021
Burke County
"Burke County Board of Elections workers are striving for a smooth and fair election for all voters."
Debbie Mace, Director
October, 2020
We are most proud of all the workers that pulled together to make this election go smoothly and fairly for Burke County voters per the statutes. We appreciate the courtesy that so many voters showed. Just a reminder to voters ahead of the next elections: please make any changes in address or party affiliation well ahead of the election to avoid any last minute complications on election day!
January, 2021
Caldwell County
"We have a wonderful staff and board here and we are committed to safe, secure and fair elections.
Chad Barnes, Director
October, 2020
Our elections team had several remarkable moments and accomplishments due to the dedication of everyone involved with the election process.
78 percent of our registered voters did vote. Those who voted in person did so in adherence to CDC and NC guidelines, for which we were also grateful. We honor the US Constitution and the electoral process of the great state of North Carolina by dedicating ourselves to having carried out a successful Electoral Process!
January 2021
Catawba County
"One of the good and unexpected outcomes of this challenging election season has been the large number of citizens willing to help with the election by volunteering." Amanda Duncan, Director
October, 2020
Catawba County election workers pulled off a successful election with the highest voter turnout, voting in-person and absentee-by-mail ever! After multiple audits and recounts, Catawba County confirmed accurate results for voters.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the voters of this county and to the many citizens who called the office expressing their thanks and sharing their positive stories about voting.
January 2021
Election Season in Photos and Words
Voters turned out in record numbers.
Here is a collection of individual stories/ pictures that reflect what it was like for LWVCV and for voters this year
I was on a phone call today for computer support. There were a couple of issues that needed to be checked and some obligatory wait time. I discovered the young man was in Ft. Worth. I asked him if he had voted yet. He told me that he had it scheduled for Wednesday AM. I suggested the Vote411.org website to access the non-partisan candidate comparison. To which he responded, “Wait. That sounds familiar. That’s where I went already. Hey, we are connected!” Indeed! And my laptop is running much better now, too. —CL, Hickory
On the afternoon before early voting began, I was at the Sherrills Ford-Terrell Library. I had conversations with two individuals in the parking lot about voting. One man had lived in Sherrills Ford for 15 years and had never registered to vote. He wanted to be sure he could register and vote at this location during early voting. The second was a man checking out where the curbside voting was. He said his mother was in her 90's and was not very mobile but she was determined to vote in this election. Very rewarding to see people taking the responsibility of voting seriously for this very important election. —LG, Terrell
My husband just returned from voting at Highland Rec. He was in line from 1030 to 1130. He said all voters were wearing a mask and everything went smoothly inside. The woman in line behind him was about 70, and said it was the first time she had ever voted! —TS, Hickory
At the Catawba County Board of Elections meeting on October 20th, we learned voters like the ExpressVote Voting System; even a 90-year old voter at the Highland Rec polling station in Hickory liked it! The paper-based ExpressVote Universal Voting System uses touch-screen technology that produces a paper record for tabulation. —PP, Conover
Voted curbside (due to husband's restrictions) at Conover Station. 30 minutes tops. Well done, Catawba County! —TF, Conover
Early voting at Conover Station… I’ve never voted early before, and probably wouldn't have considered it if people hadn't been posting here talking about how smoothly it went for them. So I set out this morning, waiting till after 9:00 so the early birds would have time to clear out, and took work to do while waiting in line. I didn't even have time to open my bag - my total wait time while there was less than 5 minutes! Thanks so much for the encouragement to vote early, everyone! —SS, Conover
Where in the World Have All the Magnets Gone?
On one of its first outings, the first magnet below went to the Catawba County Board of Elections. Please send fun pics of where your magnets have been—or where you have seen magnets. We will continue to add to this collection. Wonder whose magnet travels the longest distance from home? Or looks as if it is having the most fun? Send your pictures to info.lwvcv@gmail.com.
League Leaders Live on WHKy!
President, Deb McGivern (left below) and Vote411 Lead, Julie Pepper (right) appeared September 24 on WHKY’s early morning live First Talk show. They covered a range of topics including the League’s nonpartisan stance, its history and current mission, voting trends in NC and, of course, VOTE411. They are shown here, seated socially distanced from the day’s host, Rob Eastwood. The original broadcast can be heard here.
Signs of the Times
LWVCV is going all out promoting VOTE411—the one stop source for helpful voter info. These yard are staked out in different parts of the county until November 4.
The large banner went up in Terrell along busy NC150 and is in the same neighborhood as the Marshall Steam Plant. Julie Pepper, the dynamo that has powered our League’s efforts with Vote411, is rightly proud to see this 10’ two sided banner in place—visible both coming and going! Check back to catch glimpses of more signs soon. Or maybe you will see them as you are driving!
Voting Begins with Voter Registration
The League offers opportunities for citizens to register at various places. Here we are at farmers markets in Hickory and Conover and beyond.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”