WS Chronicle

Photo by Tevin Stinson

poll worker helps citizens cast their ballots at the Forsyth County Board of Elections on Friday, March 4.This is the first time N.C. voters are required to show photo ID to vote.

BY TEVIN STINSON

THE CHRONICLE 

Thousands of Forsyth County residents have already cast their ballots in the March 15 primary.

The early voting period, which began on March 3 and ends Friday, March 12, is the first time voters across the state will be asked to show a photo ID at the polls.

As of Tuesday, 8,213 people in Forsyth County have cast their ballots in early voting, according to election officials.

Ahead of the start of early voting, Forsyth County’s newly appointed elections director Tim Tsujii confirmed that poll workers received additional training to implement new voter ID process. A number of poll workers told The Chronicle that the training they received helped them prepare for the changes and issues that may arrive at the polls. Sylvia Jones said although not everyone was aware of the changes, many who showed up to cast their ballot early at St. Paul United Methodist Church had a state-issued ID.

“The training we received was very helpful. So far we haven’t had any issues,” Jones said.

Before receiving a ballot, or even walking into the voting place, citizens must present a state issued ID. Voters who can’t produce an acceptable ID can cast a provisional ballot.

While many worried that the new voter ID process would make the voting process longer than it should be, many early voters said the process was quick and easy.

Isabell Williams of Winston-Salem said the process went smoothly.

“I didn’t have any issues,” she said. “I prefer to cast my ballot early to beat the large crowds.”

According to reports, in just the first four days of early voting, more than 160,000 citizens have already voted for the upcoming primary election, which includes presidential, state senate, U.S. Senate, local races and a statewide bond issue that is expected to cost around $2 billion.

As a result of redrawn district lines, a separate primary will be held June 7 for U.S. House of Representatives.

After casting his ballot at the Forsyth County Board of Elections center on the first day of early voting, Robin Simmons of Winston-Salem urged others to take advantage of early voting as well.

“It’s much easier and you don’t have to worry about long lines,” she said. “I always participate in early voting. It’s a lot less hassle.”

Listed below are locations where you can submit your ballot for the March 15 primary. The early voting period ends on March 12 at 1 p.m.

Brown & Douglas

Recreation Center, 4725 Indiana Ave., Winston-Salem

Clemmons Library,

3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons

Kernersville Senior

Center / Library, 130 E. Mountain St., Kernersville

Lewisville Library,

6490 Shallowford Road, Lewisville

Mazie Woodruff Center,

4905 Lansing Drive, Winston-Salem

Old Town Recreation

Center, 4550 Shattalon Drive, Winston-Salem

Polo Park Recreation

Center, 1850 Polo Road, Winston-Salem

Rural Hall Library,

7125 Broad St., Rural Hall

Southside Library,

3185 Buchanan St., Winston-Salem

St. Paul United

Methodist Church, 2400 Dellabrook Road, Winston-Salem.

Forsyth County Board

of Elections Center, 201 N. Chestnut St. Winston-Salem