The general election might not be until Nov. 3, but the primary is just around the corner with one stop voting opening Thursday, Feb. 13 and absentee ballots already available.
Early voting opens at 8 a.m. and will be available weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-3 p.m. through Saturday, Feb. 29 and closed Sundays.
There are two locations in the county for one-stop including the Board of Election Office, located at 1422 Hwy 19 South, Bryson City and Birdtown located at 1212 Birdtown Road, Cherokee. Curbside voting is available at both locations for those in need. Registered voters can vote at either location during early voting.
The Primary Election will be held Tuesday, March 3, and voters must cast ballots at their precinct on that day.
Voters needing to register can do so until Feb. 7 or register and vote at the same day during one-stop. County residency is required for same-day registration.
To check your voter registration, visit the state site: vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.
There are five primary ballots: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Constitution and Green Party. Unaffiliated voters can choose Republican, Democratic or Libertarian. Republican voters should note there are two sides to this year’s primary ballot.
For absentee voters, the deadline to request a ballot is Feb. 25 and they must be returned with postmark date no later than March 3. Absentee ballots must be returned by the voter or a voter’s close relative, legal guardian or a Multipartisan Assistance team (appointed by BOE to assist people living in nursing homes or other similar situations.)
Swain County commission candidates are on the ballot Democratic Party ballot for two available seats are Roger Parsons (incumbent), Phil Carson and Mitchell A. Jenkins.
Republicans Kenneth Leonard Parton and H. Robert Lowe have also filed for county commission but will not appear on the primary.
Candidates running for a seat on Swain County Board of Education will appear on the ballots during the general election in November. Those having filed are Mitchell Carson, Cody White and Gerald “Jerry” McKinney.
Mike Clampitt, of Swain County will appear on the Republican ballot running against Ron Mau for the NC House of Representatives District 119, with the highest voter to face Democratic incumbent Joe Sam Queen in November.
Swain County’s Justin Greene, Democrat, will face the Republican candidate who wins the primary for the NC District Court Judge District 30 Seat 6 in November.
Voters will NOT be required to show photo ID to cast ballots in the March 2020 primary election in North Carolina. This change comes after a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to block the requirement on Dec. 31.
For more information or to request a ballot, visit www.ncsbe.gov or http://www.swaincountync.gov/Elections/elections-home.html
or contact the Swain County Board of Elections Office 488-6177.