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With the March 5 primary around the corner, voters in Forsyth County can officially cast their ballot through the early voting process beginning today, Feb. 15.

“If voters want to take advantage of early voting, Forsyth County does have in-person early voting for the primary starting on Feb. 15 through March 2,” said Tim Tsujii, director of elections for Forsyth County Board of Elections, in a series of videos published on the topic. 

Tsujii said there are 12 early voting locations across Forsyth County. 

“During early voting, voters can pick and choose and vote and any of the locations of their choice,” Tsujii said. 

The hours are from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during the week. On Saturday the hours will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday Feb. 25, early voting locations will be open from noon to 4 p.m. 

There are some changes to voting that voters should be aware of before heading down to cast their ballots.

“One of the new law changes is that (Forsyth County) will be implementing voter ID,” Tsujii said. “Voters will be asked to present an acceptable form of ID along with stating their name and their address so that the precinct officials can check those voters in when they show up to vote.”

Acceptable forms for voter ID in North Carolina include a state-issued driver’s license or non-operators ID. It can also include a U.S. passport, military or veteran’s card or a student ID for universities in North Carolina that have been approved by the state board of elections. 

“There are several local government IDs that are acceptable for voting,” Tsujii said. “You will also have a voter ID card that are provided by the county board of elections, so any voter can come to the Forsyth County Board of Elections Office and request and get a free voter ID card made for them.”

In the governor’s race, three Republicans, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Bill Graham and N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell, are vying for the nomination. On the other side of the aisle, five candidates are attempting to secure the Democratic nomination. Those names include N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein, Patrice Booker, Michael Morgan, Marcus Williams and Gary Foxx. 

Six Republicans are competing for the nomination in the newly-drawn congressional District 6 for the U.S. House of Representatives. Those names include, Bo Hines, Mark Walker, Christian Castelli, Mary Ann Contogiannis, Jay Wagner and Addison McDowell.

For a full list of candidates and essential voting information, go to https://www.forsyth.cc/Elections. The county’s board of election office is located in the Forsyth County Government Center, at 201 North Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem. The phone number is 336-703-2800