Turnout has been heavy today (Thursday) for the first day of One-Stop Early Voting in Johnston County. Individuals were lined up and ready to vote at most early-voting sites at 7:30am when they opened.
Strong interest in local races for the school board and county commission, plus state and national elections are drawing more people to the polls this year.
Leigh Anne Price, Director of the Johnston County Board of Elections, said, “Things have gone great. We had someone from (our office) at each site this morning. At Archer Lodge we had over 100 people waiting in line when the polls opened. In Clayton we had 200 and in Smithfield 150. It has not let up all day. There have not been long wait times but there have been lines. There have been no problems with any voting machines.”
Price said many people are taking advantage of curbside voting. If you plan to vote curbside from your vehicle expect to process to take longer. “It is not a fast process,” the elections director stated.
One-Stop Early Voting locations include:
•First Baptist Church Ministry Center, 125 S. Fourth Street, Smithfield
•The Church at Clayton Crossing, 11407 US 70 Business Hwy West, Clayton
•Benson American Legion Building, 605 N. Wall Street, Benson
•Archer Lodge Community Center, 14009 Buffalo Road, Archer Lodge
•Providence Presbyterian Church, 14664 NC 210 Hwy, Angier
•Richard B Harrison Gymnasium, 601 W. Noble Street, Selma
•Greater Cleveland Athletic Association Gymnasium, 8994 Cleveland Road, Clayton
Early voting will take place in Johnston County from October 15th to October 31st.
Times are: Monday-Friday from 7:30am – 7:30pm; Saturday, Oct. 17th & 24th from 7:30am – 5:30pm; Saturday, Oct. 31st from 8:00am – 3:00pm.
For questions, contact the Johnston County Board of Elections at 919-989-5095.
