The last day to register to vote on Election Day in Tyrrell County is Friday, Feb. 19.

And registered voters who wish to change their political party affiliation, or who have changed their name or address, must notify the county board of elections in writing by Feb. 19.

County residents who are not registered by Feb. 19 may register and vote during the one-stop early voting period only, which will be March 3-12, and they will be required to provide documentation of their identity and place of residence.

Voters who fail to notify the board of elections of a change to their name or address must update their information when presenting to vote, and they may be required to vote a provisional ballot.

Residents that are 17 years old and will be 18 years old by the November 8 general election are eligible to register and vote in the primary election.

Residents of Tyrrell County who are registered to vote with the Tyrrell County Board of Elections may vote in the March 15 primary election. Voters who are previously registered need not re-register for this election.

Those voters who are registered unaffiliated may vote in the primary election. Unaffiliated voters will be given a choice of ballot at one-stop early voting or their polling place.

One-stop early voting will take place in the board of elections office in the courthouse in Columbia March 3-12, except Sunday. Hours are generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Saturdays.

The primary election to be held March 15 was moved up from the traditional early May date so North Carolinians may vote their preferences earlier in the races for U.S. president.

On the ballot will be races in the Democratic, Republican and Libertarian primaries for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representative, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, other statewide political offices, and senator and representative in the state General Assembly.

Also, nonpartisan judicial offices will be on the ballot, along with a statewide public improvement bond referendum and the nonpartisan, uncontested re-election of Lee Scripture and Janie Spencer to the Tyrrell County Board of Education.

No partisan county offices were contested, so names of candidates for board of commissioners (Tommy Everett, Lawrence Swain and Carl Willis) and for register of deeds (Gene Reynolds) will not appear until the November 8 general election.

Most voters will be asked to present acceptable photographic identification when presenting to vote in person at the polls. Acceptable forms of photo ID are N.C. driver’s license, DMV-issued ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, military or Veterans Affairs ID card, and certain tribal enrollment cards. All forms of identification must be valid and unexpired.