By David Rogers. November 20, 2015. BOONE, NC — It seems like just yesterday that lawns and street corners were populated with candidate promotions, but it is already time to start looking at the next political election. With the primary election looming March 15, 2016 and the general election slated for the following November 8th, the candidate filing period begins Tuesday, December 1, 2015, ending Tuesday, Dec. 21st.
Watauga County Board of Elections Director Matthew Snyder distributed information about the filing process and fees on Thursday. Seats up for election requiring filing with the County Board of Elections (CBE):
- County Commissioners (3)
- District 1 — Boone 1, Boone 2, Boone 3, Blue Ridge (incumbent: Perry Yates)
- District 2 — New River 1, New River 2, New River 3 (incumbent: John Welch)
- District 4 — Blowing Rock, Watauga, Laurel Creek, Shawneehaw, Beech Mountain (incumbent: David Blust)
- Board of Elections (3)
- Seat currently held by Ronries
- Seat currently held by Barbara Kinsey
- Seat currently held by Brenda Reese
- Register of Deeds
- Currently held by Amy Shook
Mr. Snyder noted the following candidate filing fees:
- County Commissioner — $72
- Board of Education — $45
- Register of Deeds — $497
Snyder also disclosed that filing fees for state and federal offices are generally set at 1% of the office’s annual salary. Except where noted, candidates for these offices file with the State Board of Elections (SBE).
| Office | Salary | Filing Fee |
| U.S. Senator | $174,000 | $1,740 |
| U.S. Representative | $174,000 | $1,740 |
| Governor | $142,365 | $1,424 |
| Lt. Governor | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| Attorney General | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| Secretary of State | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| State Treasurer | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| State Auditor | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| Supt. of Public Instruction | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| Agriculture Commissioner | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| Insurance Commissioner | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| Labor Commissioner | $125,676 | $1,257 |
| Justice, State Supreme Court | $139,896 | $1,399 |
| Judge, State Court of Appeals | $134,109 | $1,341 |
| Judge, Superior Court | $126,875 | $1,269 |
| Judge, District Court | $115,301 | $1,153 |
| District Attorney | $121,737 | $1,217 |
| State Senator (Files with CBE) | $20,659 | $207 |
| State Representative (Files with CBE) | $20,659 | $207 |
| Clerk of Court (Files with CBE) | check with CBE |
