Onslow elections director outlines Nov. 3 general election and early-voting window

Jessica O'Neal, director of the Onslow County Board of Elections, told viewers the general election is scheduled for Nov. 3 with early voting currently slated to begin Oct. 15 and run through Oct. 31, though she cautioned that state legislation could change those dates.

O'Neal urged voters to confirm their registration and view sample ballots on the State Board of Elections site (ncsbe.gov). "Make sure everything's correct," she said, and described county-office procedures for correcting registration information in person. She explained that early voters can use any early-voting site during the early period, while on election day voters must use their assigned polling place.

O'Neal also reminded viewers that election-day polling places open 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. and that absentee-by-mail ballots are available for any registered voter; completed mail ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on election night to be counted. She directed residents to the county website's Board of Elections page for more details and the office phone number and hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays) for further questions.

"Remember that your vote is your voice and it's also your right," O'Neal said, encouraging timely checks of registration and use of the early-voting options to avoid weather- or schedule-related barriers.