Residents of Jefferson, West Jefferson and Lansing will go to the polls next Tuesday to choose mayors and aldermen to lead their towns for the next four years.

Election Day for Ashe County’s three incorporated towns will take place on Nov. 6 with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Only registered voters within the town limits are eligible to vote. There are 1,074 registered voters in Jefferson, 1,086 in West Jefferson and 135 in Lansing.

In Jefferson, residents vote at the fire station. Ashe County Arts Center serves as the election site for West Jefferson. Lansing residents will cast their ballots at the fire station.

In the non-partisan races, Jefferson Mayor Dana Tugman has no competition for re-election. Two seats are open on the board of aldermen with incumbents L.F. “Junior” Anderson Jr. and Charles Caudill seeking re-election and newcomer Gwen Ashley seeking one of those seats.

In West Jefferson, long-time Mayor Dale Baldwin is challenged by newcomer Dale Hudler. With two seats open on the board of aldermen, incumbents Bob McCoy and Brett Summey face a challenge from Tom Hartman, Donnie Miller and former alderman and current Fire Chief Grant Price.

There is no competition in Lansing for Mayor Jason Ring or for Aldermen John Michael Powers and Dot Shupe. Appointed Aldermen Israel Church is seeking election to an unexpired term that ends in 2009.

For more information about the election, call the Ashe County Board of Elections at 219-2570.

More detailed information will be available in Friday’s edition of the Post.