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On Dec. 2, 2024, a 2024 election report was delivered to the Dare County Board of Commissioners by Board of Elections Chairman Skip Saunders from Kitty Hawk.

Saunders appeared in order to thank the commissioners for “your significant support of our election staff, our precinct officials and the voters of Dare County.”

On Oct. 2, 2024, an election strategy meeting was held at the Emergency Operations Center. County manager Robert L. Outten and Emergency Operation director Drew Pearson and virtually every department head in the county were present. The new elections director Kelly McPherson and deputy director Rebecca Mann and a couple of chief precinct judges were also present.

What happened at that meeting, said Saunders, was focused discussions and cooperation to provide material support and security and to close safety gaps. Said Saunders, “most critically, to transmit to those conducting the election that Dare County would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us to insure that this general election would be safe, accurate, and secure. And that’s exactly what resulted.”

Saunders reported that the 2024 General Election saw the largest turnout of voters in the county’s history. Some 25,298 of 34,103 registered voters cast ballots, or 74.18% of registered voters went to the polls.

Saunders particularly commended the elections staff and precinct officials “for running an election that we all can stand behind and be proud of.” He praised the work of McPherson.

Saunders invited the commissioners to visit the elections office and see what it takes to put on an election.

Serving with Saunders on the Dare County Board of Elections are John Carter, Southern Shores; Randy Finninger, Manteo; Richard Kitrell, Nags Head; and Tracey Swain, Kill Devil Hills.

The last three General Elections show high turnout across the state. In the 2024 General Election, statewide 73.73% of the registered voters went to the polls; in 2020 General Election, 75.35% of the registered voters went to the polls; in 2016, the voting percentage was 68.98%.

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