In less than two weeks, the first ballots in the 2018 general election will have been cast and with the election fast approaching, there will be a number of key dates to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

The most immediate of these dates comes next Friday, Oct. 12, the last day to register to vote on Election Day at precincts. For those who miss that deadline however, there is still an opportunity to register to vote during the one-stop early voting period.

“It does cause some confusion sometimes,” Beaufort County Board of Elections Director Kellie Hopkins said. “Oct. 12 is the deadline to vote on Election Day, so if you want to go on Nov. 6 to your precinct and vote a ballot in your precinct, then you must register by Oct. 12. During One-Stop, you can register and vote on the same day.”

One-Stop early voting begins on Oct. 17 at locations in Washington, Belhaven, Chocowinity and Aurora. During this period, voters are allowed to register and vote on the same day at their polling place. In order to do so, residents must provide proof of residence by presenting a North Carolina driver’s license, a photo ID from a government agency or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document.

Early voting runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2. On Nov. 3, the last day of one-stop voting, hours will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Locations are as follows:

• Beaufort County Board of Elections, 1308 Highland Drive, Suite 104, Washington
• Aurora Community Building, 442 Third St., Aurora
• John A. Wilkinson Center, 144 W. Main St., Belhaven
• Chocowinity Fire Department, 512 N.C. Highway 33 East, Chocowinity

Absentee ballots are currently available by request and can be obtained by completing a request form available at www.ncsbe.gov/Voting-Options/Absentee-Voting. The last day to request absentee ballots is Tuesday, Oct. 30, and absentee ballots must be postmarked by Wednesday, Nov. 6, to be counted.

On Election Day, Wednesday, Nov. 6, precincts throughout the county are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

TWO MORE DATES

In addition to marking the above dates on the calendar, Beaufort County residents may want to add notes on the dates of Oct. 15 and Oct. 17.

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15, in the auditorium of Building 8 on the campus of Beaufort County Community College, the Washington Daily News and the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals group will host a candidate forum. Among those invited are candidates for North Carolina House and Senate, the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, Beaufort County Sheriff and District Court Judge.

Two days later, on Wednesday, Oct. 17, the WDN will include its annual Voters Guide as a special section in the newspaper. Including information, qualifications and platforms from state, regional and local office seekers, this publication is intended as a means by which voters can learn more about the candidates for whom they will vote.