Voters in Tyrrell County elected Major Shively sheriff and Jordan R. Davis to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, while Washington County voters chose Melinda Porter for an at-large seat on their county commission.

All six precincts in each county had reported shortly after 9 p.m. Nov. 3, according to unofficial results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Turnout exceeded 55% in both counties, with Tyrrell reporting 58.51% and Washington reporting 55.47%.

The results are unofficial pending canvassing by county election officials.

Tyrrell County

Unaffiliated candidate Major Shively defeated Republican Joey Elliott in the Tyrrell County sheriff's race, receiving 854 votes, or 63.49%, compared with Elliott's 491 votes, or 36.51%.

Shively won by 363 votes.

In the three-candidate race for Tyrrell County commissioner, Republican Jordan R. Davis won with 766 votes, or 56.53%.

Democrat Nina Basnight Griswell finished second with 345 votes, or 25.46%, followed by Democrat Mark Mixon with 244 votes, or 18.01%.

Democrat Angie Etheridge Sexton was elected clerk of Superior Court without opposition, receiving 1,118 votes.

Danielle Davis Carawan and Carl Jones were elected to the Tyrrell Soil and Water Conservation District board. Carawan received 895 votes, while Jones received 845. Write-in candidates collectively received 20 votes.

Tyrrell County reported 1,385 ballots cast among 2,367 registered voters, for a turnout rate of 58.51%.

Washington County

Democrat Melinda Porter defeated Republican Jonathan B. Sawyer IV for an at-large seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

Porter received 2,809 votes, or 62.34%, compared with Sawyer's 1,697 votes, or 37.66%.

Porter won by 1,112 votes.

In a statement following the election, Sawyer thanked his supporters and said he accepted the outcome.

"The voters of Washington County have made their decision and I respect it," Sawyer said.

He expressed appreciation for those who volunteered during his campaign and the residents who shared their concerns with him.

"I'm grateful to everyone who voted for me and to everyone who gave their time to this campaign, and to the people across this county who let me into their homes this year and told me honestly what they're facing," he said.

Sawyer said the issues raised during the campaign remain important and pledged to continue his involvement in the community.

"The challenges we discussed throughout this campaign have not gone away. I intend to stay engaged with them, as I was before I ever filed to run," he said. "I'll continue to serve this county through the fire department, my church, and the Chamber of Commerce."

He closed his statement by reaffirming his connection to the county.

"Washington County is home. That was true before this election and it's true tonight."

Two other county commissioner candidates were elected without opposition. Democrat Julius Walker Jr. received 970 votes in District 2, while Democrat Tracey A. Johnson received 937 votes in District 3.

Washington County voters also elected three unopposed Board of Education candidates.

Carlos Riddick received 3,339 votes in the at-large contest. Sherri Blount Gilliam received 3,342 votes in District 1, while Lois Clark received 3,304 votes in District 2.

Democrat Arlo Norman was elected sheriff without opposition, receiving 3,756 votes. Democrat Brian Keith Phelps was elected clerk of Superior Court, also without opposition, receiving 3,808 votes.

Colby Davenport and Gerda Rhodes were elected Washington Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors. Davenport received 2,646 votes, while Rhodes received 2,613. Write-in candidates collectively received 49 votes.

Washington County reported 4,564 ballots cast among 8,228 registered voters, representing 55.47% turnout.

Constitutional amendments

Voters in both counties considered three proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution, with Tyrrell County supporting all three and Washington County rejecting one.

In Tyrrell County, the proposed photo identification amendment received 1,067 votes in favor, or 80.41%, compared with 260 against.

A proposal to reduce the maximum allowable state income tax rate to 3.5% received 1,003 votes in favor, or 76.04%, compared with 316 against.

The proposed property tax levy limit received 921 votes in favor, or 70.04%, compared with 394 against.

Washington County voters supported the photo identification amendment, with 2,462 votes in favor, or 55.92%, compared with 1,941 against.

The income tax amendment received 2,339 votes in favor, or 53.15%, compared with 2,062 against.

However, Washington County voters rejected the proposed property tax levy limit, with 2,286 votes against, or 52.01%, compared with 2,109 in favor.

The amendments' statewide outcomes depend on votes cast across North Carolina.

More election coverage in next week's Beacon

All precincts in Washington and Tyrrell counties have reported, but the results remain unofficial until the county boards of elections complete their canvasses.

The Roanoke Beacon's Nov. 11 print edition will feature additional election coverage, including the results of state legislative, congressional and U.S. Senate races affecting Washington and Tyrrell counties.

Readers can also visit The Roanoke Beacon website for election updates and local news.