RICHMOND COUNTY- The primary election is upon us. Early voting, which has been available for several weeks, will officially end this Saturday.
The last opportunities to cast your vote early will be Thursday May 3 and Friday May 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and this Saturday May 5th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Richmond County Cooperative Extension Office at 123 Caroline Street in Rockingham.
Election Day itself is next Tuesday May 8th. The polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. on that day.
The list of polling locations at the end of this article was provided by the Richmond County Board of Elections. If unclear about your poll location, contact the Richmond County Board of Elections at 910 -997-8253 or stop by the office during normal business hours at 221 S. Hancock Street in Rockingham.
Important races in this year’s May election include nominees for the fall election for US House of Representatives. The primaries pit Republican incumbent Robert Pittenger against Mark Harris and Clarence Goins while Democratic voters will decide between candidates Dan McCready and Christian Cano for a chance to run in November.
In the race for the NC Senate seat currently held by Tom McInnis, Michelle Lexo will face McInnis in the Republican Primary for a chance to run against Democrat Helen Probst Mills in the November general election.
On the local scene, Democrats will pick four candidates out of the five running for county commissioner, including incumbents Don Bryant and Herb Long and challengers Tavares Bostic, Peggy Covington and Rick Watkins. The four successful Democratic nominees will then face Republicans Jim Entwistle and incumbent Ben Moss in November.
The non-partisan Board of Education election finds seven candidates looking to grab one of four seats. Running are incumbents Irene Pittman Aiken, Bobbie Sue Ormsby, and Joe Richardson. Challengers in this year’s School Board race are Pat Campbell, Daryl Mason, JL McCullers, and Statha Osborne.
Connie Kelly, Director of Elections said, “Early voting has been steady…not a huge turnout….typical for a primary.” Kelly noted that as of Wednesday there have been 1,148 registered voters come out and cast an early ballot. Kelly finished up her comments saying, “All eligible voters are encouraged to vote. Still 2 1/2 days left to vote early and 13 hours on Election Day.”
Richmond County Polling Locations:
Rockingham #1 City of Rockingham Parks & Recreation (Browder Park) 1311 Rockingham Road Rockingham, NC 28379
Rockingham #2 Leath Memorial Library (Calvin Little Room) 412 E. Franklin Street Rockingham, NC 28379
Rockingham #3 ** Northside Fire Department 209 Bear Branch Road Rockingham, NC 28379
Wolf Pit #1 East Rockingham Senior Center 135 Safie 6th Street Rockingham, NC 28379
Wolf Pit #2 Community Church Recreation Building 193 Mill Road Rockingham, NC 28379
Wolf Pit #3 Cordova School 194 Church Street Cordova, NC 28330
Wolf Pit #4 Ellerbe Grove Baptist Church 162 Ellerbe Grove Church Rd Rockingham, NC 28379
Marks Creek #1 First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 300 Charlotte Street Hamlet, NC 28345
Marks Creek #2 First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall 200 Rice Street Hamlet, NC 28345
Beaver Dam #1 Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 108 McCoy Drive Hoffman, NC 28347
Beaver Dam #2 Mt. Zion United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall 986 Ledbetter Road Rockingham, NC 28379
Mineral Springs #1 Ellerbe Town Hall 108 W. Page Street Ellerbe, NC 28338
Mineral Springs #2 Norman Community Center 107 East Moore Street Norman, NC 28367
Steeles #1 Mangum Community Building 5838 Grassy Island Road Mt. Gilead, NC 27306
Steeles #2** Concord United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 1031 Concord Church Rd Ellerbe NC 28338
Black Jack #1 Mt. Pleasant Community Building 876 Grassy Island Road Ellerbe, NC 28338
** New location