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Those who want to cast their vote before Election Day will soon be able to do so as One-Stop (early) voting sites will open across North Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 15 and run through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Election officials in the Roanoke-Chowan area are working to make sure voters can cast their ballots safely and securely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Times, dates, and locations for One-Stop voting will vary by county.

In Hertford County, voters can choose from two locations if they wish to vote early this year: Board of Elections office (418 Everette Street, Suite A, Ahoskie) or Murfree Center (201 E. Broad Street, Murfreesboro).

Both sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays (Oct. 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30). On Saturdays (Oct. 17, 24, 31), the sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Voters can also cast their ballots on Sundays (Oct. 18, 25) at both locations from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the Hertford County Board of Elections office at 252-358-7812.

Bertie County voters will have an additional location for One-Stop voting this year, bringing the total to three. Those locations will be the Board of Elections office (210 W. Watson Street, Windsor), Lewiston Fire Department (103 W. Church Street, Lewiston-Woodville), and Powellsville Town Hall (106 E. Main Street, Powellsville).

All sites will be open on the same dates as noted above from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. Saturday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call the Bertie County Board of Elections office at 252-794-5306.

Voters in Northampton County will have four One-Stop sites to choose from, adding a new location that wasn’t available during previous elections. These four sites will be Northampton County Cultural and Wellness Center (9536 NC Hwy 305, Jackson), Cool Spring Community Center (101 Cherry Street, Gaston), Creecy Gymnasium (210 Roberts Road, Rich Square), and Meherrin Cultural Arts Center (8900 NC Hwy 35, Severn).

All sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays on the same days as noted above. They will also be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Northampton County One-Stop sites will not be open on Sundays.

For more information, call the Northampton County Board of Elections office at 252-534-5681.

Those seeking to cast a One-Stop ballot in Gates County will have only one early voting site – the gym at the Gates County Community Center, located at 130 US 158, Gatesville (adjacent to Gates County High School). That location will be open weekdays (same dates as noted above) from 8 am until 7:30 pm; Saturdays from 8 am – 3 pm; and Sundays from 1-4 pm.

For more information, contact the Gates County Board of Elections Office at 252-357-1780.

The voter registration deadline has already passed, but those who have not yet registered may still do so only during the One-Stop early voting period. You will be required to provide identification and proof of residence to register.

Voters do not have to show a photo ID to vote in this election. A federal court order issued last year put a temporary block on the state’s photo ID requirement until further notice from the court.

Instead of visiting an early voting site, voters also have the option to vote by absentee ballot. Voters are able to request a ballot up until Oct. 27. The completed ballot can be returned by mail or commercial courier service (DHL, FedEx, UPS). They can also be returned in-person at your county board of elections office or at an early voting site in your county. More information about the absentee voting process is available at the state board of elections website: ncsbe.gov

Voters may receive assistance voting a mail-in absentee ballot from a near relative or verifiable legal guardian, or by a qualified person of their choice if a near relative or legal guardian is not available. If the voter resides in a facility such as a nursing home, and the voter’s near relative or legal guardian is not available, the voter or the facility can arrange to have the county board of elections schedule a visit by a Multipartisan Assistance Team to provide assistance and serve as a witness.

On the ballot this year are a number of local, state, and federal races including President, US Senator, US House Representative, 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, and several district court judge seats. Local races will vary by county but most include races for county commissioners, register of deeds, soil and water conservation district supervisor, and state representative and state senator.

The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3. For those who do not choose to vote beforehand, that will be the last day to make your vote count.