NEWS
Election Results in Davidson
The initial results are in, and nearly 2,500 voters cast ballots in the 2023 election. That compares with more than 2,900 in the 2021 election.
Davidson is unique in that the Town has voters in two different counties: Mecklenburg and Iredell. The lone Iredell County voters included in Davidson’s Town limits are the residents of the Davidson Pointe neighborhood. The following data is reflective of information from both counties.
The big news is that the referendum to change the terms for Town Commissioners from 2-years to 4-year staggered terms was the top vote recipient on the ballot, and it passed. A total of 2,472 votes were cast on the referendum. The change to 4-year staggered terms passed 1403 to 1069. Of note, Iredell County residents voted 21-11 against the measure. However, Mecklenburg Davidsonians voted 1,392 to 1,057 in support of the change from 2-year terms.
Mayor Rusty Knox was re-elected – again without opposition. He earned 2,230 votes in Mecklenburg and 16 in Iredell, for a total of 2,246. There was a total of 89 write-in votes.
Incumbent Town Board members re-elected are Autumn Rierson Michael, Matt Dellinger, Tracy Mattison Brandon, and Ryan Fay. They are joined by newcomer Steve Justus. The five were elected without opposition.
Outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Jane Campbell did not seek re-election. She was first elected in 2017 and won re-election in the subsequent 2019 and 2021 elections.
It appears that Commissioner Autumn Rierson Michael will be stepping into the role of Mayor Pro Tem as she currently has a 9-vote lead in the total ballots cast in Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties. Traditionally, the top recipient among the commissioner candidates is selected as the Mayor Pro Tem.
Early voting statistics suggest that at least 1,078 Davidson voters cast an early ballot in Mecklenburg County. Iredell County reported that 1 resident in the Davidson Pointe neighborhood voted early in the Town election.
The results of the election will not be certified until November 17. Additionally, the Board of Elections will count any absentee ballots that arrive before Friday – provided the ballot is postmarked by Election Day.