• Sales tax referendum joins municipal races on ballot in November.

By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

Some people who miss the Oct. 12 voter registrationdeadline can still cast a ballot for this fall’s local elections.
Under a new state law, voters can register at the one-stop voting station, then cast a ballot the same day. In Columbus County, one stop voting will be available only at the Elections Office on Legion Drive in Whiteville.

The late registrations end with the last day of early voting, director Carla Strickland said.

“We will not be registering anyone to vote on Election Day,” she said.

One-stop early voting runs Oct. 18-Nov. 3. Hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays, and 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.

Voters who want a mail-out absentee ballot must make their request in writing to the Elections office by 5 p.m. Oct. 30. Mailed ballots must be returned by Nov. 5. The Board of Elections will review absentee applications Oct. 16, 23, and 30, and on Nov. 5.

For traditional voters, Election Day is Nov. 6. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

Municipal races are being held in Whiteville, Bolton, Brunswick, Chadbourn, Cerro Gordo, Fair Bluff, Lake Waccamaw, Tabor City and Sandyfield this year. Also on the ballot is a countywide referendum for a quarter-cent county sales and use tax increase.

While all registered voters in the county may vote on the sales and use tax increase, only residents of municipalities may cast ballots in town and city races.

For more information, call 640-6609.