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Updates as of October 20

Good news--data analyst G. Elliot Morris estimates that NO Kings on Saturday, October 18, registered as the "largest single-day political protest in U.S. History." Indivisible High Country's protest in Lenoir included close to 400 people, and Boone Rising's protest in Boone drew an estimated 1000. Other pop-up rallies took place throughout the region, despite the traffic challenges posed by the ASU football game and the Woolly Worm Festival. 


Options for action


1. Vote! 

You may have noticed that we  democracy. As much as we love protests and contacting our legislators, we love voting even more. A single vote has a greater impact on local and regional elections than national, so we make a point to vote in every election, no matter how small. We hope you will, too!


So, hint, hint, early voting has begun for the municipal elections for Blowing Rock, Boone, Beech Mountain, and Seven Devils. Early voting in North Carolina offers the advantage of allowing you to register to vote, if needed, or to change your registration if you have moved. This is NOT possible if you wait until election day. 


You can vote at either early voting site:


Plemmons Student Union Blue Ridge Ballroom (Parking lot at 644 Howard Street)

Monday-Friday, October 20-24 10 am to 4 pm

Monday-Friday, October 27-31 10 am to 4 pm

Saturday, November 1 8-3 pm

or

Watauga County Administration Commissioners' Board Room 814 W. King Street Boone

Monday-Friday, October 20-24 8 am to 5 pm

Monday-Friday October 27-31 8 am to 5 pm

Saturday, November 1 8 am to 3 pm


You can see sample ballots for each race on the Watauga County Board of Elections website.



FYI: You can only vote at your official precinct on election day, Tuesday, November 4.


2. Call your state legislators to ask them to oppose partisan gerrymandering. 

Possible script: I'm calling to ask you to please oppose all forms of partisan gerrymandering. This approach to political districts undermines the ability of all voters, Republican, Independent, or Democrat, to respond effectively to the actions of their representatives. We must have a true system of checks and balances to protect the rights of everyone and to prevent corruption. That requires fair voting districts. AND please pass a fair budget that protects our public education system.


Contact: NC Senator Ralph Hise 919-733-3460 email to ralph.hise@ncleg.gov


NC Representative Ray Pickett 919-733-7727 email to ray.pickett@ncleg.gov


*For some in Watauga County: NC Representative Destin Hall is your representative: 919-733-3451 or destin.hall@ncleg.gov (you can find your state reps at this link: https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators)


Heads up--5calls.org now includes a few calls to action to NC state legislators.



Upcoming events/meetings:


 The Watauga County Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30 pm in a different location: the Community Room of the Watauga County Recreation Center.  Indivisible High Country again encourages people to bring signs and make public comment to support fair voting districts.


The Watauga County Board of Elections will meet Tuesday, October 21 at 5 pm in the Commissioners Board room in the Administration Building or on zoom, according to the county website. 

Note: You may have noticed that scheduled meetings for the board change often and at short notice. So far, the only way to be sure there is a board of elections meeting is to call the office directly on the day of the meeting. For those who have persevered and attended when you can, thank you!


Thursday, October 23, 2025: Boone Rising's weekly protest 11 am to 1 pm

A group called Boone Rising has begun holding peaceful protests every Thursday at the intersection by Daniel Boone Inn, including this Thursday.

 
 
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