Early voting was steady across Columbus county Thursday, but some precincts statewide were almost overwhelmed.
More than 27,000 early voters cast ballots in the first few hours of early polls opening Thursday morning, according to the State Board of Elections. Locally, 722 voters took advantage of the early polls Thursday.
The county has five early polls open: the Board of Elections office, Ransom Center, Chadbourn Municipal Annex, Tabor City Courthouse, and Fair Bluff Fire Department. Officials were considering closing Fair Bluff and the Ransom Center because of turnout and costs, but after public outcry the decision was made to keep all five open. Fair Bluff and Ransom are the only early polls the county has to pay to use.
Totals by poll for Oct. 15 are Board of Elections, 338; Chadbourn, 124; Fair Bluff, 40; Ransom, 135; and Tabor City, 85.
Any registered voter may cast a ballot at any early poll. On election day, however, you must go to your home precinct.
An approved photo ID is also required. Voters without proper IDs can get a voter registration card made for free at the Board of Elections during the early voting period.
Voters will also have a laundry list of ballot measures to decide. The legislature is allowing the voters to choose on constitutional amendment requiring voters to provide a photo ID to cast a ballot. Voters will also decide whether to cap the annual income tax rate at 3.5 percent, and whether to allow the General Assembly, not local government, approve property tax increases.
A proposed quarter-percent sales tax increase is also on the ballot for Columbus County. The measure will provide an estimated $1.45 million in revenue every year if it is approved by voters.
Columbus County voters will also cast ballots on three controversial referenda regarding alcohol sales in unincorporated areas. Separate for/against measures are on the ticket for beer, wine, and mixed beverage sales.
The U.S. Senate race for the seat held by Thom Tillis is turning into one of the most watched in the nation. Former Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican strategist Michael Whatley for U.S. Senate have each run a series of bitter campaign ads focusing on the economy, crime and law enforcement. Green Party candidate Michael Dublin and Libertarian Shannon Bray are expected to pull votes from both establishment parties, making the bellweather race even more closely watched.
U.S. Congressman David Rouzer faces challenges from Democrat Kimberly Hardy of Wilmington and Libertarian Maa Abu-Ghazalah.
Incumbent Republican State House leader Brenden Jones of Tabor City will face Democrat Brittany Newton of Whiteville, while Republican State Sen. Bill Rabon (a Fair Bluff native and Southport veterinarian) is in a three-way race with Democrat Rick Combes and Libertarian Tim White.
Incumbent State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, a Democrat, and Republican Sarah Stevens are on the ballot. Three appeals court posts are on the ticket, with Republicans Michael Byrne, George Cooper Bell and Craig Collins facing Democrats John Arrowood, Toby Hampson and Christine Walczyk, respectively.
A number of district court judges are also on the ballot. Republicans Bryan Wilson, Sarah McPherson and Will Callihan are unopposed for those seats.
Two incumbents are unopposed for reelection to the Whiteville City School Board, but one race has drawn a challenger.
Byron Fisher faces a bid from Edward Squires for the at-large seat on the board. Squires previously lost a challenge to Greg Merritt in District Four.
Anna Hall Richardson in District One and David Flowers in District Two are unopposed.
In the county school board races, Irvin Enzor and Chris Worley are unopposed for District Three and District Four. In District Two, incumbent Republican Ronnie Strickland is facing a challenge from Democrat Beatrice Addision.
Several races were decided in the primary, since the Democrat party failed to field a candidate. November ballots will be a vote of confidence with no official write-in candidates having thrown their hats in the ring.
No Democrats filed to run for the District Attorney. Brunswick County attorney J.K. Somers handily defeated Jenna Early for the Republican nomination. DA Jon David announced last year he was not running for reelection, and endorsed Earley, who has served as his lead assistant.
Appointed Sheriff William “Bill” Rogers also faces no opposition from the Democrats, after a four-way race for the nomination. Rogers was appointed sheriff in 2022, just days after Jody Greene was overwhelmingly reelected to a second term.
Jeanne McPherson will succeed Ricky Bullard on the county commissioners board after defeating Bullard for the Republican nod for District Six.
Incumbent republican Scott Floyd faces Democrat challenger Jeff Reigister for the District Seven seat on the board.
Democrat Barbara Featherson faces no Republican challenger for the County Commissioners District One seat she currently holds.
Jess Hill was unopposed for the Republican nomination for Clerk of Superior Court, and is unopposed on the November ballot as well.
Four people are running for the two seats available on the Columbus Soil and Water Conservation Board: Lanny Formyduval and Latoya Beatty are challenging incumbents James Malpass and Frank Galloway.
Elections will be held Nov. 3. Early voting ends at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31.
