BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County is adding a voting center for this year’s May 16 primary election. Instead of four voting centers, there will be five.
The newest center will be inside the Martin County Government Center near the PVA office.
Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles, who chairs the county board of elections, hopes the additional center will ease wait times on Election Day.
“We had long lines on Election Day in November,” Skyles said. “The new center gives voters another option and should help with that.”
Election Day voting centers will be open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. at the following locations:
•Martin County Middle School
•Pigeon Roost Community Center
•Inez Elementary School
•Eden Elementary School
•Martin County Government Center
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming primary election is April 17.
Voters will cast early votes and in-person excused absentee votes in the Martin County Clerk’s office.
Excused absentee voting is set for May 3-5 and May 8-10 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Early voting will be May 11-13 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
To vote in person, voters must bring proof of identification.
Voters can request mail-in absentee ballots on the statewide online portal govoteky.com, which opened Saturday (April 1). May 2 is the last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot.
“Request your ballot well before the deadline if you know you will be voting absentee,” advises Skyles.
All mail-in absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. They can either be mailed to the Martin County Clerk’s Office or placed in a secure dropbox outside the clerk’s office in the Martin County Government Center.
“Don’t wait until Election Day to hand-deliver or mail your absentee ballot,” encouraged Skyles. “Cast your ballot as soon as you receive it.”
All voter services are available at govoteky.com.
The 2023 primary election will consist of six constitutional offices: governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor of public accounts, state treasurer and commissioner of agriculture.