Dickenson County voters already are setting records

As a pivotal Election Day prepares to dawn, Dickenson County voters already are setting records.

Out of the county's 10,111 registered voters, a record total of 1,017 absentee ballots already have been cast, Deputy Registrar Kayla Deel said Monday.

The last day to vote by absentee ballot passed on Saturday and the Dickenson County Registrar's Office witnessed a record 70 people arriving in person to vote. Fifty was the most the registrar could ever recall voting on that last day, Deel said.

Deel said 613 voters have come into their office to vote in person with 404 having sent their ballots in by mail. Another 50 ballots are still out, she said.

This level of absentee voting is a signal of what will happen on Election Day. Combine that with a forecast for cool but sunny, clear weather and election officials are predicting a heavy turnout Nov. 5.

"We've told our election workers to prepare for lines. We think there will be lines all day," Deel said, especially in the larger districts. There are about 2,000 registered voters in the South Clintwood District and about that in Haysi Colley, she noted.

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., when counting and reporting commence. Deel said the registrar's office will be open all day if citizens have any questions and it will remain open until the polls close and results are counted.

The Registrar’s Office reminds that a photo I.D. is required to vote.

For people interested in finding the outcome, the registrar's office directs citizens to the Virginia Department of Elections website, www.elections.virginia.gov.

WHO'S RUNNING

For months, citizens have listened and watched hotly contested races all across the county. While Commissioner of Revenue Mike Yates and Treasurer Angela Rakes are unopposed in their re-election campaigns, Sheriff Scott Stanley, a Republican, faces a bid by Democrat challenger Jeremy Fleming. Democratic incumbent Commonwealth Attorney Seth Baker is challenged by former Dickenson County prosecutor Josh Newberry, a Republican.

In the race for five Dickenson County School Board seats, where three members decided against running for re-election, the lineup is full of new but familiar faces. Only one person is unchallenged. All candidates run as independents and are, by district:

• Clintwood District: Lurton Lyle, incumbent, and Greer Mullins, challenger.

• Ervinton District: for an open seat, Kathy Harrison, Damon Rasnick and David Ratliff.

• Kenady District: for an open seat, newcomer Jason Hicks is running unopposed.

• Willis District: Rick Mullins, the incumbent, and Glenda O'Quinn, the challenger.

• Sandlick District: for an open seat, Jamie Hackney, Hayes O'Quin and David Owens.

In the race for five Dickenson County Board of Supervisors seats, most all incumbents are vying to keep their seats. Parties nominate the candidates, which are, by district:

• Clintwood District: Donnie Rife, Democrat, and Rhonda Sluss, Republican.

• Ervinton District: Peggy Kiser, Republican, challenger and David Yates, Democrat, the incumbent.

• Kenady District: Selena Culbertson, Democrat, challenger, and Shelbie Willis, Republican, the incumbent.

• Sandlick District: Charles Hay, Democrat, the challenger, and Republican incumbent Ron Peters.

• Willis District: Jason Compton, Democrat, the incumbent, and Josh Evans, Republican, the challenger.

The town of Clinchco will hold a special election to fill a council seat. Ruby F. Coleman is running unopposed.

Two are running for Soil and Water Conservation director. Travis C. Mullins of Long Ridge and Johnnie C. Stanley of Clintwood will be on the ballot.

For state office, Dickenson voters will find on the ballot county native and physician Starla Kiser, a Democrat, for District 4 House of Delegates, facing William Wampler III, an Abingdon attorney and Republican.

In District 38 Senate race, it's incumbent Ben Chafin facing a challenge by Tazewell County banker George McCall.

Profiles of all candidates are online for easy access.

WHERE TO GO

For easiest access to their office, Dickenson County Registrar Reba Childress urges citizens to drive to the back of the Dickenson Center for Education and Research in Happy Valley in Clintwood and enter the glass doors, then turn right and go to Room 138.

For more information, contact the office at 276-926-1620 or email Childress at rchildress@dickensonva.org.

Following are the polling locations in Dickenson County.

District 1 - Clintwood District

Precinct Number: 101/ South Clintwood

Voting Place: Dickenson Center for Education and Research

Address: 818 Happy Valley Drive, Clintwood (Voters use back entrance.)

District 2 - Ervinton District

• Precinct Number: 201/ Nora

Voting Place: Ervinton Elementary School gymnasium

Address: 195 Ervinton Circle, Nora

• Precinct Number: 202/ Frying Pan

Voting Place: Old Sulphur Springs School

Address: 3123 Frying Pan Road, Birchleaf

• Precinct Number: 203/ Clinchco

Voting Place: Clinchco Senior Citizens Center

Address: 160 Clinchco Main Street, Clinchco

District 3 - Kenady District

• Precinct Number: 301/ West Dante

Voting Place: Brushy Ridge Community Center

Address: 5562 Brushy Ridge Road, Nora

• Precinct Number: 302/ Herald

Voting Place: Sandy Ridge Fire Department

Address: 8013 Doctor Ralph Stanley Highway, Coeburn

• Precinct Number: 303/ Ridge

Voting Place: Block Voting Building

Address: 119 Omaha Sunset Road, Coeburn

District 4 - Sandlick District

• Precinct Number: 401/ Haysi - Colley

Voting Place: Sandlick Elementary School gymnasium

Address: 186 Anderson Lane, Birchleaf

District 5 - Willis District

• Precinct Number: 501/ Tarpon

Voting Place: Block Voting Building

Address: 166 Mt. Olive Lane, Haysi

• Precinct Number: 502/ North Clintwood

Voting Place: Clintwood Elementary School gymnasium

Address: 150 Elementary Circle, Clintwood