Editorial

After a hearing by the Lenoir County Board of Elections, a July hearing in Raleigh and another hearing in Kinston earlier this month, less than 50 voters in the House District 10 Special Election had bothered to go the polls as of 1 p.m. Friday in the Special Election that features a re-match between incumbent Stephen LaRoque of Kinston and Willie Ray Starling of Mount Olive for the Republican nominee for the House seat. Early voting began Thursday.

A new election was ordered after evidence presented during the second Kinston hearing convinced members of the State Board of Election that enough irregularities existed to have impacted the outcome.

Rep. LaRoque challenged the election after results indicated Starling won by 11 votes. Evidence during the hearing gave an additional four votes to LaRoque, narrowing the gap to seven.

Republicans and Independents (Independents who did not vote as Democrats) in the 10th District, which includes a part of Wayne County, all or portions of 17 precincts in Lenoir County and all of Greene County are eligible to cast ballots. The actual Election Day is Tuesday, Sept. 12,

Two voters in Greene have cast their ballots, seven in Wayne County and 36 in Lenoir. With the attention garnered by the elections mishaps, Kinston Press is surprised at the paltry early turnout. After the entire hullabaloo we expected disenfranchised voters to have swarmed the polls. We will be optimistic and hope voter turnout improves. The choice of a District 10 representative, Democrat or Republican will impact the lives of all citizens in the three-country area whether they are District 10 residents or not.

Like every election, the District 10 Special Election is another opportunity to exercise one of the great privileges of being an American. To ignore any opportunity to vote is a dishonor to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifices for our freedom and it is a direct insult to those who will offer their time and efforts to become involved in public service. Regardless of whether you like any of the candidates or none of the candidates, one will be elected. The Republicans and Independents who stayed home May 2 have an unique opportunity - a second chance to voice their opinion at the ballot box. If you stay home this time keep quiet about the outcome if it isn't to your liking.

The hours for early voting are from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday Sept. 9. Ballots may be cast at the Board of Election offices in each of the three counties. For additional information call 252-523-0636 in Lenoir County; 252-747-5921 in Greene and 919-731-1411 in Wayne.