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WENTWORTH — The city of Reidsville is in a class all its own when it comes to elections.

The city votes for its mayor and council in October rather than in November, and that usually means confusion for its residents, said Tina Cardwell, deputy director of the

Rockingham County Board of Elections. Cardwell said she’s had Reidsville residents turn out for November elections, only to learn they are too late.

“It usually happens,” Cardwell said.

Reidsville held its first October election in 1993, after the U.S. Department of Justice approved a new voting plan for the city. Cardwell said some people still don’t realize the city is on a different election cycle. On the other hand, some people who live outside the city also get confused and think they can vote early in October, she said.

Early voting for the Reidsville elections started Thursday. As of Monday afternoon, Cardwell said, 28 people had voted.

But Cardwell said she expects those numbers to creep up because of the crowded field for the mayor’s and two at-large council seats.

Donald Gorham, Reidsville’s mayor pro-tem, and Chuck Faint are challenging Mayor James Festerman.

The six candidates seeking City Council seats are Tom Balsley, Roger Hayes, Caldwell “Bubba” Hobbs III, Richard Johnson, Terresia Scoble and Jeffrey Sykes.

Reidsville residents can vote early through Oct. 3 at the Rockingham County Governmental Center on N.C. 65 during business hours. The Governmental Center will also be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3 for voting. Election Day is Oct. 6. The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Residents who live within the Southeast Precinct and vote at Williamsburg Elementary School are being told to vote early, vote absentee by mail or vote on Election Day at the Reidsville YMCA. Because the precinct has only 12 registered voters who live within the city limits, Cardwell said, the board of elections will not open it on Election Day.
 

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com