Qualifying for county offices begins April 28; voter registration underway for Gen. Primary

Lincoln County residents are reminded that qualifying for the upcoming elections will take place Monday, April 28, through Friday, May 2.

Democrats may qualify at the Lincolnton Finance Company, 101 N. Washington Street. The hours are from 9 a.m. until 12 noon and from 1 until 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and from 9 a.m. until 12 noon Wednesday and Friday.

Republicans, on the other hand, may qualify at the home of Nelson Brooks, located at 2957 Maxim Road. Qualifying times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. until 12 noon Friday.

Concerning local politics, the terms of office set to expire at the end of the year, along with qualifying fees, are: Commission Chairman ($1,407.54); Commissioner - District 3 ($36); Commissioner - District 4 ($36); Clerk of Superior Court ($1,229.03); Coroner ($36); Probate Judge ($1,578.31); Sheriff ($1,407.54); Tax Commissioner ($1,229.03); and County Surveyor ($35).

The last day to register to vote in the General Primary is Monday, June 16.

Voter registration is held during regular business hours at the following locations: the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, located in The Lincoln Center on May Avenue; the Lincoln County Courthouse on Humphrey Street; LCHS; Dean's Beauty Salon on Metasville Road; and City Hall, the Lincoln County Library, the Lincoln County Health Department, and the Lincoln County Department of Family and Children Services, all on Peachtree Street.

Individuals may also register to vote at the Lincoln County American Cancer Society Relay for Life, which will be held Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex.

Mail-in applications may be obtained at these locations or by visiting the secretary of state's website at www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/ applications.htm.

To register to vote, an individuals must:

.. Be 17-and-one-half years old. .. Be a resident of the county in which he wishes to register.

.. Be a United States citizen.

.. Not be serving a sentence for a felony involving moral turpitude.

.. Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent.

Once the voter registration application has been approved, a precinct card is mailed to the applicant. If the individual does not receive his card within two to three weeks, he should contact the elections and registration office at 706-359-6126.

Throughout the years, many Americans have had to struggle to earn the right to have their voices heard. African American men were guaranteed the right to vote in 1866 by the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution; women were extended the same privilege 54 years later in 1920; and finally, in 1971, the voting age for all Americans was lowered to 18.

As a way of honoring the memories of those who have fought to ensure that all Americans have a voice in government, county residents need to exercise this hard-won constitutional right to elect their own leaders and make their opinions heard on legislative issues every chance they get.

It is critical to remember that each and every vote is important - just one vote really can make all of the difference and turn the tide of history. Just one vote:

..Gave Thomas Jefferson the presidency in 1800.

.. Made Texas part of the United States in 1845.

.. Made Adolph Hitler the leader of the Nazi Party in 1923.

For more information about qualifying or voter registration, contact Kelvin Williams, elections director, at 706-359-6126.