Tuesday, May 2, is an election day in Iredell County. Primary elections will be held for two N.C. House seats and three county commissioner seats. Voters will choose three members of the Iredell-Statesville Board of Education.

Turnout in local primary elections has traditionally been low. In 2004, only 14.4 percent, or one in seven, of the county’s registered voters went to the polls.

Some fear an even lower turnout this year. Some candidates have told us that many voters they have talked to were not even aware of the upcoming elections.

It is unfortunate that most voters do not participate in primary elections. These contests, rather than the general election, often determine who will be elected. Such is the case in the primary elections for the N.C. House in the 79th and 95th districts. No Democrat filed for either of these seats, thus the winner of the Republican primary will be automatically elected.

Incumbent County Commissioners Steve Johnson, Marvin Norman, and Godfrey Williams are running for re-election. They are facing a challenge from three other candidates in the Republican primary. The winners will face three Democrats in the November election.

The results of the primary election could have a profound effect on the direction of Iredell county government, and especially on the property tax rate.

Three seats on the Iredell-Statesville school board will decided in the May 2 election. These contests are not party primaries, but non-partisan elections.

Voters who are registered Republican or Unaffiliated can vote in the Republican primaries. The school board elections are open to voters of any party affiliation.

There is much other local news to report, but we have devoted most of this issue of the newsletter to coverage of the May 2 elections. We believe they are that important. We urge our readers to study the candidates and issues and vote on May 2. Iredell County should have a higher voter turnout than 14 per cent.