• One-stop absentee voting – also known as “No Excuse” voting – begins Oct. 19. Off-site voting begins Oct. 25.

By JEFFERSON WEAVER

Prospective voters in Columbus County have until Thursday to register to vote in the November election.

“We encourage everyone who hasn’t yet registered to do so now,” said Carla Strickland, director for the Columbus County Board of Elections. “We want everyone who is eligible to be able to cast a ballot.”

Strickland said registrations have picked up in recent days, as have telephone inquiries about how to vote.

Around 50 voters registered in the past week, Strickland said. The office has also had numerous inquiries about absentee ballots.

“We’ve been busy,” she said.

Strickland said voters should check with the elections board to make sure their information is up to date. Name and address changes can sometimes cause delays at the polls on Election Day.

“We want the whole process to be as convenient as possible,” she said.

Columbus County has just over 36,000 registered voters. Strickland said she doesn’t know exactly how many people are eligible, but haven’t registered.

Residents can go by the elections office on Legion Drive or register online with the state Board of Elections, Strickland said.

Oct. 13 is also the last day to change party affiliation before the election. Partisan races were decided in the May primary.

Shortly after registration ends, voting will begin.

One-stop absentee voting – also known as “No Excuse” voting – begins Oct. 19 at the Board of Elections office. Off-site voting begins Oct. 25.

“We expect a fair number of voters to take advantage of the early voting option,” Strickland said. “It’s a lot more convenient for people who don’t want to have to wait on Election Day.”

Under state law, any registered voter in a county may vote at any remote voting location prior to Election Day. On Nov. 7, voters must cast a ballot at their polling place or the board of elections.

One stop voting is open at the remote locations from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 25-27, and Nov. 1-3. One stop voting will be held at the Board of Elections office from Oct. 19-Nov. 3 during regular business hours, and from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.

For more information, contact the Columbus County Board of Elections at 640-6609.

VOTING LOCATIONS

Early voting will be held at the following locations starting Oct. 25 from 4-8 p.m. Voters can also cast a ballot at the Board of Elections office during regular business hours starting Oct. 19.

• Bolton Town Hall

• Chadbourn Municipal annex (old town hall)

• Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue Building

• Riegelwood Community Center

• Tabor City Courthouse