ELECTION RESULTS: Many local towns, cities shake things up with new leaders

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Tuesday was Election Day, and while there were no major races being contested in Charlotte, many area cities and towns had polling locations open for voters to cast their ballots.

Although there were no state or federal races on the ballot, many municipalities elected local leaders on Tuesday, including Rock Hill, Stallings, Salisbury, Cornelius, Davidson, Pineville, Mint Hill, Huntersville and Matthews.

>> NORTH CAROLINA 2021 ELECTION DAY RESULTS

>> SOUTH CAROLINA 2021 ELECTION DAY RESULTS

In Davidson, two groups were pitted against each other. The so-called “Fab 5″ finished on top and defeated the influential Save Davidson’s preferred three candidates. The winning candidates in Davidson were Jane Campbell, Autumn Rierson Michael, Matthew Dellinger, Tracy Mattison Brandon and Ryan Fay.

A short trip down Interstate 77, Cornelius residents headed to the polls to elect a new Board of Commissioners. Dave Gilroy, Todd Sansbury, Michael Osborne and Colin J. Furcht ran as a group of four on a platform of managing growth, including a six-month time out on new residential development projects. They all won seats on the commission. Denis Bilodeau also won.

Incumbent Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam ran unopposed.

Another major race was in Huntersville where Mayor Pro Tem Melinda Bales defeated former Mayor Jill Swain by 144 votes.

On the Huntersville Town Board, Stacy Phillips, who advocates for the homeless, received the most votes. Amber Kovacs, a first-time candidate, won a second seat. She led the charge against the downtown development. Derek Partee, a retired counterterrorism investigator, also won. Rounding out the commission was Dan Boone, Lance Munger and Rob Kidwell.

>> Follow government reporter Joe Bruno on Twitter for updates.

It's a historic win for @TwannaHenderson. She is the first African American to be elected in Mint Hill pic.twitter.com/bSIQt4gEjc
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) November 3, 2021

In Mint Hill, it was a historic victory. Twanna Henderson is the first African American to win a seat on the town commission. Meck GOP Vice Chair Dale Dalton received the most votes. Rounding out the commission are Patrick Holton and Tony Long.

Because the most recent U.S. Census data was delayed, Charlotte’s elections for city council and mayor were pushed back to the spring of 2022. Earlier this year, the U.S. Census Bureau announced data wouldn’t be released until September. The city of Charlotte needs that information to redraw districts.

The city’s primary will be held in March, and the general election will take place in late April.

Reporter Joe Bruno goes behind the scenes at the Board of Elections

Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson took Eyewitness News Reporter Joe Bruno behind the scenes as votes were counted on Election Night.

>> In the video below, Joe shows you the process from when votes arrive at the Board of Elections to when they are uploaded to the state’s website.