Residents of incorporated towns and cities have until Friday to register to vote for the Nov. 4 election.
All municipalities in the county have elections this fall. Only town residents may cast ballots.
Friday is the last day to register to vote, but voters may register and cast a same day provisional ballot during the early voting period. Provisionals are the same as regular ballots, but require elections officials to confirm the voter’s residency and status before they can be counted.
Early voting begins Oct. 16. The only early voting site for municipal elections this year is the elections board office at 2586 James B. White Hwy. North, Whiteville. Voting will take place at the elections office 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, except for Nov. 1, when it ends at 3 p.m.
Absentee by mail ballots must be requested by Oct. 21. State law has changed regarding absentees, and they now must be returned to the elections board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to count. Contact the Columbus County Board of Elections to request an absentee ballot.
Voter ID is now required for all ballots in North Carolina. ID cards are available for free at the Board of Elections, and most forms of government and official photo identification are allowed. Nov. 7 is the deadline for voters who cast a ballot but did not bring an ID to the polls, or fill out an exception form at the time they cast a ballot.
Canvass Day, when results are certified, is Nov. 14.
