By Andrew Rice
In local news, The Plemmons Student Union opened for early voting on October 20th. According to The Appalachian, the blue ridge ballroom will be used to host early voting until November 5th at 3pm. While the union is open for early voting, it is not the only early voting site that is open during the period. Across the county, the Watauga County Administration Building, Western Watauga Community Center and many more are open for early voting throughout the voting period from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Those that are not registered to vote can register through one-stop early voting in any of the early voting locations. However, Voters are unable to register on the November 8th Election Day.
In state news, NBC News featured North Carolina’s United States Senate race among five potential election surprises that could determine which party controls the Senate in 2022. According to the Carolina Journal, each party controls 50 Senate seats which is exactly half. If either party makes gains in this election, the balance of power in the Senate could be determined. Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Cheri Beasley and Congressman Ted Budd look to face off against one another in this highly contested election race.
In international news, Rishi Sunak is set to become the U.K’s newest prime minister. According to NPR, after his two conservative competitors dropped out of the race, Sunak is set to take on the new leadership position amidst the resignation of Liz Truss. Sunak will be the first British Asian to become prime minister and the first nonwhite to take the job. He will also be the youngest prime minister in more than 200 years at age 42. Sunak entered Parliament in 2015 and was appointed 5 years later as finance minister by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Sunak is considered a centrist and a pragmatic politician.