The three-week filing period for those who wish to run for political office this year has been a busy one. When filing ended at noon on Friday, February 26, large numbers of candidates had thrown their hats into the ring to be on the ballot in November 2010. Because of the multiple filings, many candidates who have been unopposed in past elections will also be on the primary ballot in May.

One race that is still unopposed is the contest for Stokes County Clerk of Court. Incumbent Jason Tuttle, a Republican from King, will be the only name on the ballot on Tuesday, November 2.

The race for county commissioner looks to be a fierce one. Only three seats are available, and already nine people have signed up to run. Richard E. Newsome and incumbent Stanley E. Smith, both of King, won’t have to worry about the primary vote, since they are the only two Democrats running.

The Republicans, on the other hand, will be grasping for the chance to win one of the top three spots to be awarded in the primary, allowing them to be listed on the November ballot. The GOP candidates are: James David Booth of Westfield; Ronda Jones of Danbury; incumbent Ernest Lankford of Danbury; Harold L. “Boh” Mabe Jr. of King; John R. Parsons of Walnut Cove; David L. Smith of King and Price E. Watts of King.

With much talk of having commissioners that are representative of each section of the county, the race this year is more balanced than in other years. For example, the 2008 county commissioner race featured only four candidates, all from King. This year, there are five candidates from King, but they are joined by two from Danbury, one from Westfield and one from Walnut Cove.

In the sheriff’s contest, five men—two Democrats and three Republicans—will grapple for the position that is being vacated by longtime sheriff Mike Joyce. The Democrats who will square off in the May primary are Richard Carol Bowman of Pinnacle and Barry W. Conaway of Walnut Cove.

The Republicans who will face each other in the primary for sheriff are Barry Lawson of Westfield, Mike Marshall of Danbury and Junior Palmer of King.

When voters select the candidate for District 17-B District Attorney in November, only one name will be on the ballot—incumbent Ricky Bowman, a Democrat of Mt. Airy.

The 2010 nonpartisan judicial races are full of familiar names. The incumbent District 17-B Supreme Court Judge, Anderson “Andy” Cromer of King, is up for re-election, unopposed.

The District 17-B District Court Judge ballot will contain only the names of the incumbent seated judges—Spencer G. Key Jr. of Dobson, Charles “Chuck” Neaves of Elkin and Angela Puckett of Westfield.

There are familiar faces in the race for the North Carolina State House, 91st District. The November ballot will again list opponents Ed Gambill of King, Democrat, and incumbent Bryan Holloway of King, Republican. This position serves Stokes and parts of western Rockingham County.

In the past, the battle for the North Carolina State Senate, 30th District, has often been an unopposed one for incumbent senator Don East. This year, the Republican senator from Pilot Mountain will have company from his own party and thus will be in the primary this time around. His Republican challenger is Paul M. Johnson, also from Pilot Mountain.

The Democrats who will face off for the senate seat in the May primary are Richard “Ric” Marshall of Ararat and Robert Nickell of Westfield. This senate seat serves Stokes and Surry counties.

On the Washington, D.C. level, the race for the U.S. Congress, Fifth District, is shaping up to be a hotly contested one. The incumbent, Republican Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk, is being challenged by Republican Keith Gardner of Hickory. They will be on the primary ballot in May. William “Billy” Kennedy of Vilas is the only Democrat running for the seat in Congress.

Another incumbent politician, Republican Senator Richard Burr of Winston-Salem, faces a host of challengers who desire his position. They are: Larry R. Linney of Charlotte, Bradley “Brad” W. Jones of Hendersonville and Edward “Eddie” J. Burks of Asheboro.

The Democrats running for Burr’s U.S. Senate seat are: Marcus W. Williams of Lumberton, Ann Worthy of Gastonia, Elaine Marshall of Raleigh, Susan Harris of Old Fort and James Calvin “Cal” Cunningham of Lexington.

A Libertarian candidate will also be on the ballot—Michael Beitler of Oak Ridge.

Absentee by mail voting begins on Monday, March 15. Citizens who wish to vote in that manner must request absentee mail-in ballots by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. Those ballots are due back in by Monday, May 3, at 5 p.m.

Those who want to register to vote, change party affiliation or update their address must do so with the Stokes County Board of Elections in Danbury by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 9.

An option for those who don’t want to brave the crowds on election day is One-Stop voting. Those who wish to stop by and vote early at the Board of Elections office in the Government Center, near the Sheriff’s Office, may do so as early as Thursday, April 15. One-Stop voting ends on Saturday, May 1 at 1 p.m.

On Election Day, polls for the primary open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. The Canvass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11.