Staff report
More than 1,300 Rowan voters have already cast ballots in the May 6 election.
And Rowan Election officials are expecting the pace to pick up rapidly this week as more voters cast their ballots early.
State election officials have predicted that the May 6 primary might draw one of the largest turnouts on record ,fueled by the Democratic presidential primary.
Officials are predicting 46 to 48 percent turnout statewide.
Rowan has never had that high a turnout in a primary, according to Nancy Evans, Rowan Elections director.
As of late Friday afternoon, a total of 1,382 voters had cast ballots.
Most of the early voters were Democrats, 855. A total of 305 Republicans and 223 unaffiliated voters cast ballots.
Most of the ballots were cast at the Elections Office at 130 W. Innes St.
The county is also offering one stop voting sites at the East Rowan Library at 110 Broad St., Rockwell and at the Tadlock South Rowan Library at 920 Kimball Road.
Evans is a bit disappointed at the turnout at the new sites, but hopes more voters will use those locations in the coming week.
Both sites have ample parking and easy access.
Hours for the East and South sites are: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Evans was working late Friday to get the word out about the new sites, hoping to use some town or business message boards.
The main office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
One stop voting ends May 3.
For more information, contact the Elections Office at 704-216-8140.