Early voting for the 2019 municipal elections begins next Wednesday, Oct. 16, giving Chatham residents who live within the town limits of Goldston, Siler City and Pittsboro a chance to cast ballots for several races, including those for mayor and town board in all three municipalities and the Goldston-Gulf Sanitary District.
Of all the races, only three are contested — Pittsboro town board, Siler City Mayor and Siler City Town Commissioner District 3. Goldston’s Mayor Tim Cunnup, Town Commissioners Steve Cunnup and Charlie Fields, and Sanitary District Board members Danny Scott, Henry Kitchings and Ricky Beal are running unopposed.
In Siler City, Commissioners Larry Cheek (District 2) and Bill Haiges (District 4) are running unopposed. Siler City Mayor John Grimes is facing two challengers for his re-election bid, Jackie Adams and Albert Reddick. Commissioner Mike Constantino (District 3) is seeking re-election against two opponents — Curtis Brown and Timothy (Cookie) Brown.
In Pittsboro, Jim Nass is running unopposed for mayor, while seven candidates are vying for three open seats on the Pittsboro Board. Commissioners Jay Farrell and John Bonitz are seeking re-election; Commissioner Bett Wilson Foley decided not to run for re-election. Other candidates vying for a seat on the board include Pam Cash-Roper, Heather Johnson, Bridget Perry, Kyle Shipp and Lonnie West.
Early voting for the municipal elections will take place at one location — the Chatham County Board of Elections office located at 984-D Thompson St. in Pittsboro. Residents will be able to early vote on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Nov. 1. There will also be early voting from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Residents who need to register to vote or update their voter registration will be able to do so during early voting. Photo identification will not be required to vote until next year, but voters will be asked whether they have an approved photo id to ensure that voters know it will be required for the 2020 elections.
There will be four polling sites open on election day, Nov. 5. There is a temporary change of polling location for West Siler City residents on election day this year. The West Siler City Precinct will vote at the Paul Braxton Gymnasium located at 115 S. 3rd Ave. in Siler City. Voters in the East Siler City Precinct will vote where they have in the past, the Earl B. Fitts Community Center at 111 S. Third Ave. in Siler City. On election day, Pittsboro residents will vote at the Multipurpose Room at Central Carolina Community College at 764 West St. in Pittsboro. Goldston residents will vote at Goldston Town Hall located at 40A Coral Ave. in Goldston.
One precinct in Chatham County will be testing new voting equipment. The county is purchasing new voting equipment from Hart InterCivic as its current equipment needs to be replaced. Per state statute, the county must test the equipment in one precinct prior to full implementation during the 2020 primary election. According to Chatham County Board of Elections Executive Director Pandora Paschal, the decision as to which precinct will participate in the test has not yet been determined.
For more information on the 2019 Election, visit the Chatham County Board of Elections website or call 919-545-8500.
Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com.
