Lennin Counts, Wythe County registrar, briefed the Board of Supervisors on the recent election during the Nov. 25 meeting. Counts said turnout was approximately 51%, with 11,091 ballots cast overall — roughly 500 fewer than in the 2021 gubernatorial election. He reported 3,122 early in-office votes and 547 mail-in ballots. Counts estimated the total cost for the election was about $26,000 and told the board state reimbursement for the county was $0.

Counts thanked the election officers and county staff for supporting the process, noted improvements in accessibility and parking at the early-voting location, and described operational aids purchased earlier in the year (storage cages) that improved security and logistics for precinct deliveries.

Board members asked about turnout comparisons with other Southwest Virginia counties; Counts said turnout appeared down across the region but he had not compiled full comparative statistics.