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Scotland County’s voters will have their chance today to take to the polls and narrow down the candidates to run in the November General Election.

All Scotland County polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. According to Dell Parker, director of the Scotland County Board of Elections, the busiest voting hours will likely be 7 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.

Parker could not forecast overall turnout following two slow weeks of one stop voting.

“I thought one stop was going to be busy — it was not,” Parker said. “There’s a possibility of scattered thunderstorms, so the weather could keep someone from coming out.”

Parker also reminded voters that those who did not vote during one stop should vote at their precinct’s assigned location; only voters in Precinct One will vote at the Board of Elections office. She also said that voters who have moved within the county may need to go to their old precinct to receive further instructions.

“They need to keep in mind that, if they have moved within the county and have not notified the Board of Elections, they will need to go to their old precinct,” Parker said.

Citizens will vote for representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, North Carolina Senate, and Scotland County Board of Commissioners, as well as selecting one of two candidates for Register of Deeds.

Incumbent Scotland County District Attorney Kristy Newton, District 16A court Judge John Horne, State Rep. Garland Pierce, and State Rep. Ken Goodman are all running unopposed and will not appear on today’s ballot. The Scotland County Board of Education election will be on the ballot in November.

House of Representatives

From his own party, Democratic incumbent Congressman Larry Kissell is challenged by Marcus Williams, a Lumberton attorney.

Five Republicans will vie for their party’s nomination to the District 8 seat in the House of Representatives: Richard Hudson of Concord, Mooresville dentist Scott Keadle, Vernon Robinson of Concord, State Rep. Fred Steen of Landis, and neurosurgeon John Whitley of Fairmont.

North Carolina Senate

The Democratic and Republican nominations for the District 25 seat on the North Carolina Senate will each be contested between two candidates.

Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin and North Carolina Rural Water Association executive director Daniel Wilson will vie for the Democratic nomination. Republicans Jack Benoy, owner of Eastside Motors in Albemarle, and Eugene McIntyre, a retired educator from New London, will compete for their party’s nomination.

Scotland County Board of Commissioners

As all Board of Commissioner candidates on the ballot are Democrats, the winners of today’s primary will appear on the November ballot as unopposed candidates, barring contest from a third-party or unaffiliated candidate.

At-large:

Whit Gibson, retired as Scotland County’s Clerk of Superior Court, and Daniel Dockery, a technology assistant at I. Ellis Johnson Elementary School and a local minister, will run for the at-large seat.

Laurel Hill Township:

Current school board member Jimmy Bennett of Laurinburg will challenge incumbent John Alford of Laurel Hill, a retired business executive who is seeking his third term on the Board of Commissioners.

Stewartsville Township:

Former Lumbee Tribal Council member Shelley Strickland will challenge incumbent Clarence McPhatter, owner of McPhatter Funeral Home in Laurel Hill, for representation of Stewartsville Township on the Scotland County Board of Commissioners. Both candidates reside in Laurinburg.

Williamson Township:

Democrat Kenneth Haney, formerly Gibson’s town manager, will challenge incumbent Bob Davis of Laurel Hill, who currently serves as chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

Register of Deeds

Incumbent Debra Holcomb, who has served as Register of Deeds for seven years, is challenged by Aletha Poole, also a Democrat. Holcomb has worked in public records for 17 years and is also a notary public. Poole is a member of the Laurinburg-Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and formerly managed the Laurinburg Walmart.