Early voting starts with sparse turnout

Published 1:23 am Friday, June 29, 2012

Fewer than 20 people had cast ballots on the first day of early voting in the second primary that will determine the Republican nominee in a hotly contested state House race.
Second primaries are being held in several races for state office, three congressional races and three races for the N.C. House of Representatives, including the race for the Republican nomination in the 6th House District.
In the 6th House District race, Mattie Lawson, who received the most votes in the May primary, faces a run-off against Arthur Williams. The winner will face Democrat Paul Tine in the November election.
Also on the Republican ballot in Beaufort County are second primaries for the lieutenant governor’s post, with Dan Forest facing a run-off with Tony Gurley; secretary of state’s post, with Kenn Gardner facing a run-off with Ed Goodwin; and the superintendent of public instruction’s post, with John Tedesco facing a run-off with Richard Alexander.
The sole race on the Democratic ballot in Beaufort County is the second primary for state’s commissioner of labor’s post. In that race, John C. Brooks faces a run-off with Marlowe Foster.
One-stop, walk-in voting is under way until July 14 at the Beaufort County Board of Elections office off of Highland Drive and Cowell Farm Road in Washington. Voters may mark ballots from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14.
The Board of Elections office will be closed Wednesday in observance of the July 4 holiday.