
The McDowell County Democratic Party Welcomes You!
Our nation is in crisis. Our people are sick and dying. Unemployment rates are staggeringly high. Far too many Americans do not know where their next meal is coming from. Business and industry have been given a green light to ignore decades of environmental regulation, and are free to poison our air, water and soil. And these disasters are only the tip of the iceberg.
The US House, led by a Democratic majority has proposed over 500 pieces of legislation to address these issues and more. Every piece of legislation they have proposed is blocked by a Republican majority in the US Senate and a Republican President whose agenda strongly favors the rich and powerful over the rest of us.
The politics of divisiveness has used the old issues of racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia to inflame passions in hopes of winning votes. Dehumanization of others is a dangerous game, and it is being played by our current President and those who support him in hopes of winning re-election.
This is not America. We want our country back, and we are pledged to return it to sane governance with a sense of inclusion and liberty and justice for all our people.
Elections have consequences. We have felt the consequences of 2016 for four years now.
In 2018, we took the first steps to recovery by electing a Democratic majority to the US House, and electing enough Democrats to the NC State Legislature to take away the veto-proof majority held by a power hungry Republican legislature. Now, we have the opportunity to return our nation to WE THE PEOPLE, instead of “we the rich and privileged.”
Liberty and justice for all… for all… WE the people...
Who Are We?
We value education. We know that a great education coupled with common sense and strong life values will build a great future for our children and grandchildren.
We value freedom. And we acknowledge that with each freedom comes an equal responsibility to not abuse those freedoms.
We believe in protection of the social safety net that protects and sustains the most vulnerable in our society. Everyone deserves to live in dignity and peace.
Join us on this extraordinary adventure. Think Big and Act Local.
McDowell County Democratic Party Leadership
The McDowell County Democratic Party has new ideas from a new generation of leaders.
When this group gathers, there is energy in the room. And it translates into excitement and hope.
County Chairperson: Leighann Briggs Ayers
Treasurer: Jennifer Howerth
First Vice Chairperson: Melody Pajak
Second Vice Chairperson: Lonnie Bewernitz
Third Vice Chairperson: Buz Buzogany
Secretary: Heather Haynes
McDowell County Young Democrats: Ashley Junkins

Voter Information.
Registering to Vote
Here are some important details regarding the 2020 election:
- Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
- The deadline to register online to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020.
- The deadline for registering by mail to vote is (postmarked by) Friday, October 9, 2020.
- The deadline to register in person to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020. After the regular voter registration deadline of Friday, October 9, 2020, you can register and vote in person at one-stop sites during the early voting period, which runs from Thursday, October 15, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020. This process is known as same-day registration. Same-day registrants must attest to their eligibility and provide proof of residence. Within two business days, the county board of elections will review the registration and the registrant's address. Your vote will be counted unless the county board of elections determines that you are not qualified to vote.
- The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
- The early voting period runs from Thursday, October 15, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.
Absentee Voting
If you choose to vote by mail (absentee ballot), below is a link to a form you must fill out and submit to the local McDowell County Board of Elections PO BOX 1509MARION NC28752-1509 before October 27, 2020.
If you have additional questions, please contact our local Board of Elections at 828-659-0834.
Find out more details about the electoral districts that McDowell County is a part of,
and meet the candidates for who are counting on your support in the 2020 election.
Your Local Representatives - McDowell County
McDowell County has three representative bodies: Marion City Council governs the area within the Marion city limits. The Old Fort Board of Aldermen govern the town of Old Fort. And the McDowell Board of County Commissioners governs the area outside the city limits of Marion and Old Fort.Old Fort Town Government
Police Chief Melvin Lytle Jr - 828-317-1925
THERE ARE NO OPEN SEATS FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION
Marion City Council
The City of Marion operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The elected City Council hires a City Manager to manage the day-to-day operations of the City government.The Mayor and all five members of the City Council are elected at-large on a non-patisan basis by the citizens of Marion for four year staggered terms.
Steve Little has served as Mayor of Marion since 2009, and served on City Council from 1985 to 2009.
Billy Martin is the Mayor Pro Tem and has served on City Council since 1995.
Woody Ayers has served on City Council since 2017.
Ann Harkey has served on City Council since 2017.
Juanita Doggett has served on City Council since 2009.
Don Ramsey has served on City Council since 2011.
THESE SEATS ARE NOT PART OF THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION
McDowell County Commissioners
The McDowell County Commissioners are comprised of the following elected individuals:
Name | |
David N. Walker | david.walker@mcdowellgov.com |
Barry McPeters | barry.mcpeters@mcdowellgov.com |
Tony G. Brown | tony.brown@mcdowellgov.com |
Matthew Crawford | matthew.crawford@mcdowellgov.com |
Lynn Greene | lynn.greene@mcdowellgov.com |
UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD NO CANDIDATES FILE FOR ANY OF THE OPEN SEATS FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION.
THE NEXT ELECTION FOR COUNTY COMMISSION WILL BE IN NOVEMBER, 2022.
District 85, NC House of Representatives
McDowell County is part of the 85th District of the NC House of Representatives.
Marion resident, Ted Remington is our candidate for this office.
(Picture, short bio and link to website for Ted)
NC State Senate, District 47
McDowell County is part of the 47th Senate District of North Carolina. After the election of 2011, the district was heavily gerrymandered to support Republican candidates. After several court battles, the district has been redrawn, but still carefully carves out what Republicans consider a "safe space." The current holder of this office was heavily involved in drawing districts, including his own.
Our candidate for NC Senate seat 47 is David Wheeler of Spruce Pine
The 11th US Congressional District of NC
McDowell County sits on the eastern edge of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.Our district is currently without representation because of the abrupt departure of the previously elected Republican representative. We plan to fix that.
For the 2020 election, in Moe Davis, we have a GREAT candidate and believe our chances of returning this district to the Democratic side of the US House are excellent.
(add picture, short bio and link to his website)
United States Senate
Each state in the US is represented by two Senators, regardless of population. Those senators are elected to 6 year terms. One of the seats is up for election in 2020, the other in 2022.Our US Senate Candidate, Cal Cunningham, has the background and integrity to make him one of the best Senators in the nation upon election.
Meet Cal Cunningham
“North Carolinians are loyal, hardworking, decent and proudly independent people, and we expect the same from our U.S. Senator.” —Cal Cunningham

MCDP Events
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Latest Issues
Time For Change
North Carolina has long been identified as a beautiful, forward thinking, progressive state. But under Republican leadership, our reputation has been severely tarnished and our beauty is being threatened with environmental policies that border on the absurd. Enough is enough. It is time to take our state back.
- Unlawfully gerrymandered districts to make certain they are Republican controlled.
- Unlawfully passed voting restrictions designed to keep minorities, college students and poor people from voting.
- Unlawfully changed the composition of local election boards to give themselves control.
- In an effort to stop losing court battles over voting restrictions, they have changed the Governor's ability to appoint judges, and reduced the number of them to maintain a Republican majority on the court.
- Passed a law that takes away the Governor's and the State Attorney General's rights to challenge in court over any laws passed by the legislature.
- In cities like Asheville, who elect representatives on an "at large" basis, the NC Legislature is requiring them to establish districts of the LEGISLATURES' design (not local design) for future elections. Once again, gerrymandering those districts for Republican control.
What About You?
Would you like to comment on the issues raised in this article? Leave your comments below, we can't wait to hear your views!
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