Early voting set to begin

North Carolina's voter registration deadline was extended by a state court late Friday, meaning Twin Counties residents will have three extra days to register to vote on Election Day.

N.C. Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens in Wake County ordered the regular voter registration deadline that expired Friday be extended until close of business Wednesday in the 36 counties receiving assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

“Our agency appreciates Judge Stephens’ thoughtful consideration of this matter and will fully comply with his order,” said Kim Strach, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections.

Democrats filed a lawsuit to extend the deadline. Republicans were opposed to any and all changes to elections rules and deadlines under any and all circumstances, said N.C. GOP Chairman Robin Hayes.

Would-be voters may still register and vote at the same time during the 17-day early voting period, beginning Thursday and running through Nov. 5.

“Same-day registration is available during the three-week period after the regular registration deadlines,” Strach said. “We encourage those displaced by Hurricane Matthew to take advantage of same-day registration opportunities throughout their county.”

There will be one early voting site in Nash County and four in Edgecombe County opening Thursday. The remaining sites will open later in the month.

In Nash County, one-stop voting begins first at the Nash County Agriculture Center on Eastern Avenue in Nashville, where the times will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Beginning on Oct. 27 through Nov. 5, three other sites will be open at Braswell Memorial Library on Grace Street in Rocky Mount, the Spring Hope Community Building and the Mt. Pleasant Community Building in Bailey. Hours for all three locations will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Four Edgecombe County locations will be open Oct. 20 through Nov. 5. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays:

■ The Edgecombe County Administrative Building Auditorium, 201 St. Andrew St. in Tarboro.

■ The Rocky Mount office of the Department of Social Services, 301 S. Fairview Road in Rocky Mount.

■ Rocky Mount at the Opportunities Industrialization Center OIC, 402 E. Virginia St. in Rocky Mount.

■ The Pinetops branch of the Edgecombe County Memorial Library, 201 SE First St. in Pinetops.

Two locations will be open Oct. 22 to Nov. 5.

The MC Braswell Cultural and Educational Development Center at 649 Morning Star Church Road will be open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day except Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 when polls open at 1 p.m. and close at 6 p.m.

The Speed Volunteer Fire Department at 113 Mill Pond Road will be open weekdays 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

No polls will operate on Sundays.