Haywood County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
35 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 20 Haywood County races, led by the Haywood County Board of Commissioners contest.
County offices
Board of CommissionersDavid Burnette (R) · Jeff Stines (R) · Michael T. Sorrells (D) · Carly Pugh (D) · Tommy Long (R) · Vicki Hyatt (Unaffiliated) · Blake T. Hart (Unaffiliated)
David Burnette (Republican), Jeff Stines (Republican), Michael T. Sorrells (Democratic), Carly Pugh (Democratic), Tommy Long (Republican), Vicki Hyatt (Unaffiliated) and Blake T. Hart (Unaffiliated) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Board of Commissioners.
David Burnette Republican
David Burnette is a longtime member of the Haywood County Board of Education, currently serving on that board, now running for County Commissioner, per Mountain Xpress. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Jeff Stines Republican
Jeff Stines is a retired Waynesville Public Works director running for Haywood County Commissioner, per Mountain Xpress. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Michael T. Sorrells Democratic
Michael T. Sorrells is a former Haywood County Commissioner running again for the board, per Mountain Xpress. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Carly Pugh Democratic
- Supporting community stability and affordability
- Long-term environmental protection
Per the campaign site.
About Carly Pugh
Pugh is a librarian, social studies teacher and scholar of Appalachian Studies whose family has lived in Haywood County for generations, per her campaign site.
Tommy Long Republican Incumbent
Tommy Long serves as a Haywood County Commissioner, per the Haywood County government website. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Vicki Hyatt Unaffiliated
Vicki Hyatt retired after a 28-year career in Haywood County community journalism, including serving as editor of The Mountaineer, and previously served as a county commissioner and state representative in Montana, per The Mountaineer. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Blake T. Hart Unaffiliated
- Wants tourism tax revenue redirected to benefit local residents
- Supports policies that attract quality employment and improve housing affordability
- Supports preserving farmland while making farming economically viable
Per the campaign site.
About Blake T. Hart
Blake T. Hart is the Executive Director of Haywood Christian Ministry and a native of Western North Carolina, running as an unaffiliated candidate for Haywood County Commissioner, per his campaign site.
Seven candidates for three at-large seats; only one sitting commissioner up this cycle, Tommy Long, is on the ballot (of the other two sitting members up in 2026, Terry Ramey ran and finished fourth in the March 3 Republican primary and Jennifer Best did not file), per the county's Elected Officials PDF and the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageClerk of Superior CourtJeff Haynes (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeff Haynes (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court.
Jeff Haynes Democratic Incumbent
Jeff Haynes is the sitting Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court, per the county's official roster of elected officials. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Incumbent Jeff Haynes is unopposed, per the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageRegister of DeedsStacy Cutshaw Moore (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stacy Cutshaw Moore (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Register of Deeds.
Stacy Cutshaw Moore Republican
Stacy Cutshaw Moore is a Republican candidate for Haywood County Register of Deeds, per The Mountaineer. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
The sitting register of deeds, Sherri Carver Rogers, is not on the November 2026 ballot; Stacy Cutshaw Moore is unopposed, per the county's Elected Officials PDF and the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageSheriffMark E. Mease (R) · Tyler J. Howell (D)
Mark E. Mease (Republican) and Tyler J. Howell (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Sheriff.
Mark E. Mease Republican
- Emphasizes a community-oriented approach and building relationships with local agencies.
Per the campaign site.
About Mark E. Mease
Mark E. Mease is a Cherokee Indian Police Department officer who won over incumbent Sheriff Bill Wilke in the Republican primary, per WLOS.
Tyler J. Howell Democratic
Tyler J. Howell is a Waynesville Police Department officer running as the Democratic nominee for Haywood County sheriff, per Mountain Xpress. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Sitting Sheriff Bill Wilke lost the Republican primary to Mark Mease, who faces Democrat Tyler Howell in November, per WLOS and Mountain Xpress.
Full race pageTax CollectorGreg West (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Greg West (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Tax Collector.
Greg West Republican
No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
The sitting tax collector, Sebastian Edward Cothran, is not on the November 2026 ballot; Greg West is unopposed, per the county's Elected Officials PDF and the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageJunaluska Sanitary DistrictNonpartisan race · Jim Francis · Chad McMahon
Jim Francis and Chad McMahon are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Junaluska Sanitary District.
Jim Francis Nonpartisan Incumbent
James Harley Francis Jr. (Jim) is a sitting Junaluska Sanitary District board member, per the county's Elected Officials PDF. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Chad McMahon Nonpartisan Incumbent
Chad Landon McMahon is a sitting Junaluska Sanitary District board member, per the county's Elected Officials PDF. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Special-district seats covering only the Lake Junaluska area of Haywood County; both incumbents are unopposed, per the county's Elected Officials PDF and the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageMaggie Valley Sanitary DistrictNonpartisan race · Scott Sutton
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Scott Sutton is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Maggie Valley Sanitary District.
Scott Sutton Nonpartisan
Scott Sutton is a candidate for the Maggie Valley Sanitary District board. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Special-district seat covering only the Maggie Valley area of Haywood County; the sitting member, Jack Medford Leatherwood Jr., is not on the November 2026 ballot, per the county's Elected Officials PDF. Scott Sutton is unopposed, per the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageDistrict Attorney, District 43Ashley Hornsby Welch (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ashley Hornsby Welch (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for District Attorney, District 43.
Ashley Hornsby Welch Republican Incumbent
Ashley Hornsby Welch serves as District Attorney for North Carolina's Prosecutorial District 43, per the NC Judicial Directory. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Incumbent Ashley Hornsby Welch is unopposed, per the NCSBE certified candidate list. District 43 covers Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
Full race pageSchool board
Board of Education, Bethel DistrictNonpartisan race · Larry D. Henson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Larry D. Henson is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Board of Education, Bethel District.
Larry D. Henson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Larry Henson serves as Vice-Chairman of the Haywood County Schools Board of Education, per the district's official board roster; his current term runs through November 30, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Incumbent Larry D. Henson is unopposed for this nonpartisan seat, per the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageBoard of Education, Clyde DistrictNonpartisan race · Myra Keener Watson · James Robertson · Terry Ramey
Myra Keener Watson, James Robertson and Terry Ramey are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Board of Education, Clyde District.
Myra Keener Watson Nonpartisan
Myra Keener Watson is a candidate for the Clyde District seat on the Haywood County Board of Education, per The Mountaineer. She is an educator, community member and mother with two daughters in the school system. No campaign website was found as of September 23, 2026.
James Robertson Nonpartisan
James Robertson is a candidate for the Clyde District seat on the Haywood County Board of Education, per The Mountaineer. He spent 30 years in the Waynesville finance office, worked part-time as a teacher at Southwestern Community College and Haywood Community College, and now serves as a pastor. No campaign website was found as of September 23, 2026.
Terry Ramey Nonpartisan
Public records confirm a Terry Eugene Ramey currently serving as a sitting Haywood County Commissioner; it could not be confirmed whether this is the same Terry Ramey seeking the Clyde District Board of Education seat. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
The sitting Clyde District member, James (Jimmy) Rogers, is not among the three candidates for this nonpartisan seat on the November 2026 ballot, per the county's Elected Officials PDF and the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageBoard of Education, Crabtree-Iron Duff DistrictNonpartisan race · Marla Ferguson Morris
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Marla Ferguson Morris is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Board of Education, Crabtree-Iron Duff District.
Marla Ferguson Morris Nonpartisan Incumbent
Marla Morris serves on the Haywood County Schools Board of Education, per the district's official board roster, on the Finance Committee; her current term runs through November 30, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Incumbent Marla Ferguson Morris is unopposed for this nonpartisan seat, per the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageBoard of Education, Fines Creek DistrictNonpartisan race · Steven Kirkpatrick
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Steven Kirkpatrick is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood County Board of Education, Fines Creek District.
Steven Kirkpatrick Nonpartisan Incumbent
Steven Kirkpatrick serves on the Haywood County Schools Board of Education, per the district's official board roster, chairing the Building and Grounds and Special Issues committees; his current term runs through November 30, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Incumbent Steven Kirkpatrick is unopposed for this nonpartisan seat, per the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageJudges
North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 43B, Seat 1Roy Wijewickrama (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Roy Wijewickrama Democratic Incumbent
Roy Wijewickrama is the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Judicial District 43B, covering Haywood and Jackson counties, appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in November 2024 to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Brad Letts, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch. He had served as a district court judge since 2010, including as chief district court judge in District 43, and earlier worked as a prosecutor for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, per the same source. Wijewickrama grew up in Haywood County, graduated from Tuscola High School, and earned his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Roy Wijewickrama (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 43B, Seat 1. Voters across Haywood and Jackson counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 43, Seat 1Donna Forga (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Donna Forga Republican Incumbent
Donna Forga was appointed chief district court judge for the judicial district covering Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties effective December 2024, per a North Carolina Judicial Branch news release. Forga was first elected to the bench in 2010 and earlier worked in private practice and as a staff attorney for Legal Aid of North Carolina, per the same release. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Donna Forga (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 43, Seat 1. Voters across Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 43, Seat 2Justin B. Greene (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Justin B. Greene Democratic Incumbent
Justin B. Greene currently serves as a District Court Judge for District 43 in Haywood County, per the North Carolina Judicial Branch directory. A Swain County native, Greene has practiced law out of Bryson City since 2006, per WCTI-TV. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Justin B. Greene (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 43, Seat 2. Voters across Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageNorth Carolina District Court Judge, District 43, Seat 3William (Bill) Jones (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
William (Bill) Jones Democratic Incumbent
William (Bill) Jones is a district court judge for Judicial District 43, appointed by Governor Josh Stein and sworn in on March 3, 2025 at the Haywood County Courthouse, per the North Carolina Governor's office. He most recently served as a solo practitioner for over two decades and previously worked as an assistant district attorney in District 30 from 1998 to 2003, and he received his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law, per themountaineer.com. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
William (Bill) Jones (Democratic) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 43, Seat 3. Voters across Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Conservation District SupervisorNonpartisan race · Charles Boyd · Will Morrow · Jason Knight
Charles Boyd, Will Morrow and Jason Knight are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.
Charles Boyd Nonpartisan Incumbent
Charles Boyd serves as a supervisor on the Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District's Board of Supervisors, per the district's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Will Morrow Nonpartisan Incumbent
Will Morrow serves as a supervisor on the Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District's Board of Supervisors, per the district's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Jason Knight Nonpartisan
Jason Knight is a candidate for Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Three candidates, including both sitting elected supervisors up this cycle, for two nonpartisan seats, per the county's Elected Officials PDF and the NCSBE certified candidate list.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Haywood County is split across 2 North Carolina Senate districts.
Find your districts by addressNorth Carolina Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 47, 50
North Carolina Senate District 47Frank Patton Hughes III (D) · Ralph Hise (R)
Frank Patton Hughes III Democratic
- Addressing underfunding and overcrowding in public schools
- Ensuring access to quality medical care in the mountain region
- Environmental stewardship of forests, pastures and streams that support local food production and tourism
Per the campaign site.
About Frank Patton Hughes III
Frank Patton Hughes III is a Democrat running for North Carolina Senate District 47, covering Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties. He was born in Iredell County and has lived throughout the state, with his family's deepest roots in Avery County, per his campaign site. Hughes is a social studies teacher at McDowell High School and previously taught at Philo Hill Middle School and helped write curriculum for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth school district, per his campaign site. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University, per his campaign site.
Ralph Hise Republican Incumbent
Ralph Hise is a Republican representing North Carolina Senate District 47, covering Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties, and is serving his eighth term as Senate Deputy President Pro Tempore, per the North Carolina General Assembly.
Frank Patton Hughes III (Democratic), Ralph Hise (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Ralph Hise is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina Senate District 50Tom Downing (D) · Kevin Corbin (R)
Tom Downing Democratic
- Addressing affordable housing shortages
- Affordable childcare availability
- Addressing rising health insurance costs
Per the campaign site.
About Tom Downing
Tom Downing is a Democrat running for North Carolina Senate District 50, covering Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties. He has 15 years of municipal government experience and previously worked eight years as a special education teacher for students with serious emotional disabilities, per his campaign site.
Kevin Corbin Republican Incumbent
Kevin Corbin is a Republican representing North Carolina Senate District 50, covering Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties, with three terms in the Senate and two prior terms in the House, per the North Carolina General Assembly.
Tom Downing (Democratic), Kevin Corbin (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Kevin Corbin is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House District 118Danny E. Davis (D) · James M. (Jimmy) Rogers (R)
Danny E. Davis Democratic
Danny E. Davis is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District 118, representing Haywood and Madison counties. Davis is a Haywood County native who graduated from Tuscola High School and Western Carolina University before earning a law degree from Campbell University, per the Smoky Mountain News. Davis served as an assistant district attorney and spent 27 years as a district court judge before retiring, and has since worked as a court mediator and chaired the Haywood County Board of Elections, per the Smoky Mountain News. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
James M. (Jimmy) Rogers Republican
James M. (Jimmy) Rogers is the Republican nominee for North Carolina House District 118, representing Haywood and Madison counties, per the Smoky Mountain News. Rogers is a member of the Haywood County Board of Education, first elected to that board in 2001, per The Mountaineer. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Danny E. Davis (Democratic), James M. (Jimmy) Rogers (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Mark Pless (Republican), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
North Carolina nominees were set by the March 3 primary; a candidate clearing 30 percent plus one avoids a second primary, and unopposed nominees still print on the November 3 ballot, per the State Board of Elections.
Who is on the ballot in Haywood County, North Carolina on November 3, 2026?
Haywood County sample ballot 2026: see where the board of commissioners, board of education and county sheriff candidates stand on housing and health care. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in North Carolina?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are listed on the North Carolina election hub. North Carolina election hub →
How do I see my exact Haywood County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
North Carolina statewide racesEvery North Carolina race on this county's ballot.All North Carolina ballot measures3 statewide ballot measuresCandidate roster last updated Oct 2, 2026 from official election sources.