Thousands of residents are expected at Scotland County polls today to vote in one of five municipal elections.

Turnout is expected to be low as municipal elections have historically low turnouts compared to state-wide elections, Parker said.

While voting picked up towards the end of One-Stop Absentee Voting, only 417 voters turned out for early voting period while over 700 turned out in 2007. There were 94 voters on Saturday, the last day of One-Stop voting.

"I encourage everyone who is eligible to come out and vote in city elections," Dell Parker said.

Parker, the director of the Scotland County Board of Elections, says this election is only for those who live within the city limits of East Laurinburg, Gibson, Laurinburg, Maxton and Wagram. Those who live outside the city limits are ineligible, even if they live in the extra-territorial jurisdiction of a municipality and are within the jurisdiction of both city police protections and the Planning and Zoning Board.

Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line by 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote regardless of how late it gets, Parker said.

Also, while the Wagram town commissioner election is uncontested as three candidates are running for three seats, Parker says its worth voting in as whichever candidate comes in third will only be elected to a two-year term and will have to run again in 2011. The two with the most votes will be elected to a four-year term.

Unofficial election returns will be announced in the main courtroom of the Scotland County Courthouse at 8:30 p.m.

Parker hopes to get the results to the courthouse before 8:30, but says delays are possible and the returns may be announced later.

Precinct locations

Eight of Scotland County's 10 polling sites will be open today for municipal elections.

The Precinct 8 polling location is closed to save costs as so few city voters live in the precinct, Parker said. Any of the 11 residents of Precinct 8 who live within the Laurinburg city limits will be able to vote at the Precinct 1 voting site.

Precinct 9 will also be closed as it serves the town of Laurel Hill, which is not incorporated and does not hold municipal elections.

The poll sites are:

• Precinct 1 – Scotland County Annex, 231 E. Cronly St., Laurinburg.

• Precinct 2 – The Learning Center, 420 Stewartsville Road, Laurinburg.

• Precinct 3 – Scotland Place, 1210 Turnpike Road, Laurinburg.

• Precinct 4 – Clinton V. Willis National Guard Armory, 1520 S. Main Street, Laurinburg.

• Precinct 5 – Johns Fire Station, 8781 Johns Road, Laurinburg.

• Precinct 6 – East Laurinburg Community Building, 12 Third Street, East Laurinburg.

• Precinct 7 – Wagram Fire Station, 24481 Marlboro St., Laurinburg.

• Precinct 10 – Gibson Gym, 6241 Gibson Road.

According to the Robeson County Board of Elections, Maxton voters will all vote at the Queheel Fire Department at 202 E. Rockingham Road.

Voters' precincts are listed on their voter registration card. If someone can not find their registration card or are unclear where to go or have any questions about their eligibility to vote in this election, they should call the Scotland County Board of Elections at 277-2595 or the Robeson County Board of Elections at 910-671-3080.

Candidate Filings

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Laurinburg

At-Large Council Member

Rembert DeBerry (incumbent)

Kenton Spencer

District 1 Council Member

Herbert Rainer (incumbent)

Hattie Pegues Ray

District 2 Council Member

Tommy Parker (incumbent)

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East Laurinburg

Mayor

Wayne Caulder

Harry F. Pittman

Commissioner (three seats)

Jimmy L. Biggs

Betty Robbins

Beverly Robbins Scott

Marshall Stevens (incumbent)

Robert Lee Wallace (incumbent)

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Gibson

Mayor

Ronnie Hudson (incumbent)

Commissioner (three seats)

Mack “Pete” Wilkins

Lula Adelle Cottingham

Charles Freddie Webb

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Maxton

Commissioner (two seats)

James McClanathan (incumbent, write-in)

James McDougald

Minnie Pipkin Miller

Victor R. Womack

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Wagram

Mayor

Milton Farmer (incumbent)

Council Member (Three seats)

Hyder Massey, Jr (incumbent)

Robert McLaughlin (incumbent)

Mack "Pete" Wilkins