Municipal elections are Nov. 7 in Columbus County, and several races are uncontested.
One stop early voting begins Thursday and continues through noon on Nov. 4
Barring a Supreme Court decision, the November election is the first time photo identification will be required to cast a ballot. Voter IDs are available for free at the board of elections through Wednesday.
Voters who do not have an acceptable form of identification will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot.
While some races in the county are hotly contested, many will be little more than a vote of confidence for incumbents.
Only Chadbourn Mayor Phillip Britt faces a challenge. Britt is on the ballot across from Miles Cartrette and Ruth Ann Haynes for the town’s top slot.
Tony Jordan and Danny Clewis Jr. are challenging incumbents James Green and Colene “Tootie” Kelly for the two open seats on the board
Bolton Mayor Shawn Maynor is once again unopposed, while Bolton Alderman Jimmy Wayne Bowen, Eugene Thomas Neal and Ruth Waddell are in the running against newcomers Cynthia Laverne Mitchell and Randolph Pringle.
In Fair Bluff, Rob Taylor is challenging Town Commissioners Kathy Ashley Horne, Ralph Daniel McCoy and Spruell Randy Britt for a seat on the board.
Lake Waccamaw has two commission seats open, and both are unopposed. East Ward Karl Bracey and West Ward Commissioner Terry Littrell do not have challengers on the ballot.
In Sandyfield, only incumbents signed up to run. Mayor Garry Keaton, and Town Council Members Joseph Eugene Brown, Azalie Graham, Randolph Keaton are the only candidates.
Tabor City Mayor Royce Harper is unchallenged, but in the Town Council race, Kelly Beck and Emory Cox face incumbents Nelson Lee and David E. Mincey.
No one is challenging Whiteville Mayor Terry Mann or District Two Councilman Jimmy Clarida, but a spirited race is on for the two District One seats on the ballot. Incumbents Kevin Williamson and Emory Worley are facing Shaq Davis, Josh Harris and Alex Meeks in those races.
Brunswick commissioners Everlene Davis and Jackie Williams-Rowland are running for reelection, and face challengers Jason Elleby and Shirley Moore. Curtis Hill was appointed to fill an unexpired seat, and filed to run for a full term there. He is challenged by Ricky Mason.
In Cerro Gordo, Mayor David White faces no opposition. Three candidates have filed for the two seats open there, with incumbents Brenda McKenzie and David Prince facing Pamela Specht.
