The North Carolina primary election started bright and early when polls opened at 6:30 a.m. and voters cast ballots for their candidates. However, talk of Election Day was quiet in the Town of Elon.
Vivian Splawn, Burlington resident and employee at All That Jas, said she was disappointed not to see people in line to vote in the election, as she went to cast her ballot.
“It's really sad that there's such a low turnout when you go there and you don't have to wait in line, but that's just how it is,” Splawn said. “And on the bigger ones, sometimes it's like that too.”
In Alamance County, incumbent Terry Johnson is running for reelection for Alamance County Sheriff. Johnson has been the sheriff since 2002. This is the first time since 2002 a Republican candidate is running against Johnson. No Democratic candidates are running.
Splawn said it’s good to see new faces running for office.
“I think it's great that there's opposition,” Splawn said. “You know, it makes you look at the people you've been voting for all along a little closer and you find out about the other folks.”
Graham local Carleen Cox, who works at Barnes & Noble in Elon, said that although she had not voted, she would if she had time. Cox said that she thinks voting is important, especially in a local community.
“For all the issues we have locally or abroad, it's very important for everybody to vote and try to make it a safe place for everybody,” Cox said.
Cox said that before voting, she would need to do more research on the candidates.
Elon junior Jaron Fisch is originally from New York, but with his Elon address he can vote in North Carolina. Fisch voted in the 2024 general election in North Carolina, but did not plan on voting in the primary election. At first, Fisch was not aware that Election Day was March 3, but said that if he does more research he might go out and vote.
“I got to look into the candidates and everything, but maybe, if I find someone that I like and their views align with my views and everything,” Fisch said.