Vote Tuesday. Do It.

182 Ocracoke residents voted early, on November 1st, at the Ocracoke Community Center.  Election Day is being held on the first Tuesday in November, per tradition.  Get to the polls November 6 to have your vote counted.

The short line during early voting was longer than many had seen before at the Ocracoke polling station.  Dale Mutro, a longtime elections volunteer, said, "It got kind of crazy there for a while."  At one point, he was worried "no one will be left to vote on Tuesday."

One hour after early voting opened, more than 40 residents had cast ballots in the general election.  People waiting together in line chatted; one group discussed the near future of highway 12.  Others called out to friends, to let them know they were only there to keep the vote competitive.

Well over 600 registered voters on Ocracoke have not yet cast their ballots.  Typically, over half of Ocracoke's 803 registered voters show up to vote.  Voting booths will be open --for the last time in 2012-- from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

Dale will be joined at the polls by Kay Riddick, Janey Jacoby, Phyllis Wall, and possibly Roger Garrish. "Imagine how much fun you're going to have," when you show up to vote, said Dale.

The volunteers spend eleven straight hours in the Community Center.  A gift of food will not sway them from their non-partisan duty.

The early opportunity to vote was welcomed by people who are planning to leave the island.  "You never know if you can get back," said Ruth Toth, who will be on the mainland celebrating her mother's 92nd birthday this weekend.

Ann Warner, owner of Howard's Pub, said she was there "just to get it done."  Phyllis Wall agreed.  Life is unpredictable.  Vote early.

Mutro assured this reporter that all early votes count, even if the unforeseen happens between early voting and election day.

Early voting, scheduled for October 27, was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  Elderly, disabled or medically indisposed voters can request an absentee ballot until 5 p.m. on Monday, November 5, and can do so by calling the Elections Office in Swan Quarter at  (252) 926-5280.

Election Day is November 6th. The polls will be open at the Ocracoke Community Center from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Early voting is available to all Hyde residents at the courthouse in Swan Quarter through Friday, November 2 (daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.), and again on Saturday, November 3, from 9 a.m. -  1 p.m.

For an NC voter guide and candidate profiles, click here. 

For a sneak peek at the sample ballot, check out this link, or see below. (Sorry for the low resolution. Go to the website and download it yourself to see it better.)