By this time next week, residents of the 3rd Congressional District will have a clearer picture of who might represent them in Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Currently Republican candidates Dr. Greg Murphy, of Greenville, and Dr. Joan Perry, of Kinston, are in a head-to-head battle to become their party’s nominee in the special Sept. 10 general election.

Early voting in the contest continues through 5 p.m. Friday at the Beaufort County Board of Elections, with polling sites opening throughout Beaufort County from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day Tuesday. The Board of Elections is closed on Thursday in observance of Independence Day.

“After Friday, voters will need to report to their polling places on Election Day in order to cast a ballot in the election,” Beaufort County Board of Elections Director Kellie Hopkins said in an email.

In order to cast a ballot in this primary, voters must be registered as Republicans or unaffiliated voters. Unaffiliated voters must have either voted on the Republican ticket during the first primary or not voted at all.

As of Monday evening, a total of 734 people had cast votes in the election — a figure Hopkins says is low, but not unexpected.

“Unfortunately, low turnout is typical for second primaries,” Hopkins said.

The winner of the contest will go on to face off against Democrat Allen Thomas, Libertarian Tim Harris and Constitution Party candidate Greg Holt.