Vote one-stop
through May 3
in primary

Usually, the May primary means little by the time presidential campaigns come to North Carolina. But this time, Columbus County Democrats will have the opportunity to play an important early role in the vote for president in primaries May 6.

Both Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are concentrating on the North Carolina primary, one of the few remaining “big-state” primaries.

One-stop voting started Thursday and will continue through May 3. There will be a number of opportunities to vote at satellite locations around the county before May 3; plus, residents who have not yet registered can do so at one-stop polling places. Voting has never been easier.

In addition to the presidential campaign, three county commissioner seats are up for grabs. Whoever prevails will be the winner as there are no independent or Republican challengers.

A hotly contested race for Register of Deeds will also be decided in the primary. The Bev Perdue–Richard Moore contest for the Democratic governor’s nomination is drawing lots of interest.

In addition to the Board of Elections headquarters, which will open during business hours for one-stop voting, additional one-stop sites throughout the county will open from 2 to 8 p.m. daily beginning April 23 and continuing April 24, 25, 29 and May 1 and 2.

They include: Bolton Town Hall, 221 9th St. in Bolton; East Columbus Senior Center, 2694 General Howe Highway, Riegelwood; Chadbourn Municipal Annex, 208 E. 1st Ave., Chadbourn; Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue, 110 West 4th St., Fair Bluff and the Tabor City Courthouse, 653 Railroad St., Tabor City.

The May primaries are usually dull and mundane, but not this year. Turnout is expected to be much heavier than usual, so there will surely be lines at polling places on election day.

There’s no excuse to wait until May 6 to vote.