Gov. Roy Cooper last week announced the schedule for special primary and general elections in the Third Congressional District. The seat is vacant due to the recent passing of Congressman Walter B. Jones Jr.

The filing period for candidates running in the special election began March 4 and ends Friday, March 8.

The State Board of Elections office, where candidates must file to enter the contest, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Third Floor of the Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.

The primary elections will be held April 30, with a second primary, if needed, or the general election, if there is no second primary, on July 9.

Absentee voting by mail begins March 15 and ends April 30. The voter registration deadline is April 5. One-stop early voting will be April 10 through April 26.