By Peter Vankevich
Ocracoke voters will not have a lot of choices in the upcoming primary election May 8, but they are important ones.
Only offices with more than one candidate will be on the primary ballots for registered Democrat and Republicans. All offices, including those with unaffiliated candidates, will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.
In North Carolina, unaffiliated voters may cast their vote in any one of the recognized party’s primary but registered party members can only vote their party’s ballot.
On Ocracoke, voting on election day will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.in the Volunteer Fire Department, 822 Irvin Garrish Highway,
Early “One-Stop” voting will be at the same location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27 and 28. Early voting at the Hyde County Elections Office in Swan Quarter will be today (April 19) to May 5, with various hours.
On the Republican ballot, there will be three offices for voters to decide.
For the U.S. House of Representative, District 3, incumbent Walter B. Jones will run against Phil Law and Scott Dacey.
In the General Assembly, State Senate District 1, Bob Steinburg, Edenton, and current House Member representing District 1 will run against Clark Twiddy, Kitty Hawk, who has a real estate business, Twiddy & Company. Incumbent Bill Cook decided last August not to seek reelection when Beaufort, his home county, was moved out of District 6 and placed into District 3.
For the N.C. House of Representatives District 6, incumbent Beverly Boswell, a former Dare County commissioner, will run against Bobby Hanig, Powells Point. Hanig is chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners. The winner in the primary will run against Tess Judge who is sole candidate for the Democrats.
For the Democrats, N.C. State Senate District 1, Richard S. (Steve) James, Winton, has been found ineligible by a special panel of election board members from across the eleven county district. So only D. Cole Phelps, Creswell, an attorney and Washington County Commissioner is running as a Democrat. Because ballots for the May 8 primary have been printed, including some that have already been sent to those casting absentee votes, James’ name will still be on the ballot.
For the Hyde County Board of Commissioners, Swan Quarter Township, James (Little Brother) Topping will run against Joseph (Joey) Williams. Current Swan Quarter commissioner Dick Tunnell decided not seek reelection.
The voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day, which was April 13. Absentee voting must be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before May 8.
For more information regarding any voting procedures and updating your voting information, contact the Hyde County Elections Office, 252-926-4194, or by email vwilliams@hydecountync.gov.
For more information on North Carolina elections, go to www.ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina.
