The March 15 election’s deadline to register to vote, make party affiliation changes or update an address is Friday.

Voters in Rowan can register or make changes in person or by mail. Voter registration forms can be found at the Board of Elections website by clicking on the “forms” link. The Rowan Board of Elections is located on the first floor of the county administration building at 130 West Innes Street in Salisbury.

Rowan residents who wish to register to vote, must present a photo ID and proof of residence within the county. If a person presents a North Carolina photo ID or driver’s license with a valid Rowan County address, Elections Director Nancy Evans said no other registration documents are necessary. An out-of-state ID would require proof of address such as a power bill, Evans said.

Mail-in registration forms must be postmarked by Feb. 19 to be valid.

Currently, same-day registration will be allowed during early voting, which starts March 3 and continues until March 11. Evans said the same registration rules apply for same-day registration.

Same-day registration is not allowed on election day — March 15.

For more information about registering to vote, contact the Rowan County Board of Elections at 704-216-8140

Farm Bureau endorses bond package

The Rowan County Farm Bureau in late January passed a resolution is support of the Connect NC Bond, a $2 billion proposal on the March 15 ballot.

A majority of the bond package would be dedicated to the UNC System and community colleges. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has plans to allocated $4.27 million of its $7.27 million to projects at the school’s north campus. Rowan leaders also hope to secure some of the $312.5 million in the bond package for water and sewer infrastructure.

The Farm Bureau resolution cites the need to expand and repair infrastructure and invest in agricultural initiatives that will help feed and clothe a rapidly growing population as a major reason for supporting the bond. Additionally, the resolution points out that the state’s higher education system of universities and community colleges is a primary driver of job creation.

The bonds will not require a tax increase and will preserve the state’s AAA bond rating, according to the state’s budget office.

For more information on the bond package, visit: connect.nc.gov

Tillis gives history lesson on Denver Broncos

U.S. Sen Thom Tillis, R-N.C., this week paid off a Super Bowl bet made with a Colorado Senator by giving a nearly 10-minute presentation about the Denver Broncos, who defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

On the Senate floor, Tillis wore an orange tie and presented an image of himself with an orange beard.

He also presented a picture of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, and said: “Peyton is an amazing athlete but what really makes Peyton extraordinary is his character and his behavior on and off the field.”

A Panthers fan, Tillis interspersed compliments about the team while giving his speech.

Mentioning that he grew a playoff beard, Tillis wrapped up by sharing an original poem based on a Tony Bennett song called “I Left My Hair in San Francisco.”

The poem goes:

“I left my hair in San Francisco after the game had haunted me.

I’m cleanly shaven, quite sad and bare, while Broncos fans stand like Fred Astaire.

The loveliness of Santa Clara seems somehow sad today,

The glory of my Panther’s season is of another day.

But I’m looking forward to next year’s season because I expect a Super Bowl repeat for many good reasons.”

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.