Voter registration continues

Today marks the final day that local residents can register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election, which is just 25 days away.

However, Kinston and Lenoir County residents who plan to cast their ballots during early one-stop voting between Oct. 16 and Nov. 1 have more time to register with the elections board - they can register until Nov. 1, if they plan to vote the same day.

The early voting process allows residents to register and vote on the same day. If voters do not register today, they cannot vote Nov. 4.

Lenoir County Board of Elections Director Dana King said Thursday more than 37,000 Lenoir County residents have registered to vote in the general election. More than 500 people have registered to vote during the past month, which is not unusual leading up to a presidential election.

"We just ask people to be patient with us," King said. "The registration process doesn't take very long, and we will try to answer any questions the public may have."

Presidential politics was on the minds of Lenoir Community College students this week as the college's Student Government Association held a voter registration drive. Several students volunteered their time to encourage both students and the public to register.

"You would be surprised how many people are not registered to vote," LCC student Lindsey Stapleford said.

Stapleford said she recently registered for the November election and decided to work to help others register as well. She is still undecided who to vote for in the presidential race.

LCC spokeswoman Samara Taft said the SGA's voter registration drive began Sept. 15.

"We helped register 100 students," Taft said. "This year, there seemed to be more interest in the election with students."

LCC held a Fall Festival on Wednesday, which offered students additional opportunities to register to vote.

"Several people from the public also filled out voter registration forms," Taft said. "The drive focused on the LCC student body."

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.