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Voters who wish to cast their ballots early can do so beginning on Thursday, Oct. 17 and will continue through Saturday, Nov. 2.

During the early voting period, voters can cast their ballot at any early voting site within their county of residence. As in previous elections and primaries, photo ID is required for all voters.

Additionally, eligible local residents who are not already registered to vote can still do so during the early voting period. Residents must provide a current valid ID as proof of residency. ID must show your name and current residential address.

In Gates County, the only early voting site will be the Board of Elections Office, located at 25 Medical Center Road, Gates. That site will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the early voting period. They will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays (Oct. 19, Oct. 26, and Nov. 2). Voters also have one Sunday available to cast their ballots: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 12 noon until 4 p.m.

For more information, call Gates County Board of Elections at 252-357-1780.

A number of races will be on the ballot this year. Many local races include seats for Board of Commissioner, Register of Deeds, and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.

Candidates in local races in Gates County include the following:

Board of Commissioners – Hobbsville District: Linda Hofler (Democrat), Nathan Berryman (Republican)

Board of Commissioners – Sunbury District: Dave Forsythe (Republican), Althea Riddick (Democrat)

Register of Deeds: Mary Cathy Horton (Democrat)

Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor: E. Boykin Hudgins, Jr.

There are several district, state, and federal races on this year’s ballot as well.

Those races include President/Vice President, US House (District 1), NC Governor, NC Lieutenant Governor, NC Attorney General, NC Auditor, NC Agriculture Commissioner, NC Insurance Commissioner, NC Labor Commissioner, NC Secretary of State, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction, NC Treasurer, NC Supreme Court Associate Justice (Seat 6), NC Court of Appeals Judge (Seat 12, Seat 14, Seat 15), NC Senate (District 1), NC House District 5 (Hertford and Gates counties); and several NC District Court Judge seats.

Voters who choose not to cast their ballots early will have to wait until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voting precincts will be open that day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

More information about voting can be found on the State Board of Elections website: ncsbe.gov