Voters will have two additional choices for one-stop absentee voting for the May 6 primary election.

The Moore County Board of Elections has added the airport terminal on N.C. 22 and the Old West End Gym off N.C. 211 to the Agriculture Center on Pinehurst Avenue in Carthage as one-stop polling places this year. However, the polling schedule for the airport terminal and the old gym will be shorter than that of the Agriculture Center, located across the street from the county elections office.

One-stop absentee voting will begin Thursday, April 17, at the Agriculture Center. It will not begin until Thursday, April 28, at the airport and in West End. One-stop absentee voting will end at all three polling places at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3.

The Board of Elections set up the additional sites as a convenience for voters and in an effort to encourage more registrants to participate in elections, according to Elections Director Glenda Clendenin.

Interest in this early voting method has become so keen in recent years that long lines often develop, sometimes longer than those at the busier precincts on election day. When one-stop voting was first introduced, voting was carried out at the elections office. It was later moved to the Agriculture Center because congestion at the elections office made it difficult for employees to work and also because of limited parking space.

REGISTRATION -- April 11 will be the last day to register for people wishing to vote in the May primary.

Residents who are already registered do not need to register again. April 29 will be the last day to request an absentee ballot by mail.

A heavy voter turnout is expected in May because of the presidential preference primary.

DEM WOMEN -- Wilma Laney was installed as the new president of the Democratic Women of Moore County at the March 8 annual meeting, held at the Jefferson Inn in Southern Pines.

Laney succeeds Bobbi Burrell, who will continue to serve the organization in an ex-officio capacity.

Other officers are: Joy Mellerson, first vice president; Mindy Fineman, second vice president; Juanita Harbour, treasurer; Nancy Sandoval, assistant treasurer; Judy Allen, recording secretary; Clare Ruggles, corresponding secretary.

Jerry Meek, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, was guest speaker. He told the 75 in attendance that the Democratic Party is intent on restoring the American dream in this year's elections.

Membership in the Democratic Women is open to all registered Democrats, both male and female.

Anyone interested in more information can call Wilma Laney at 944-5502 for more information.

BOYLAN -- State Rep. Joe Boylan says he had no choice but to vote for the expulsion of Thomas Wright from the House of Representatives.

The state House voted 109-5 to expel Wright from its membership in a special session last Thursday. Wright, a Wilmington Democrat, is accused of violating House ethics rules and state campaign finance regulations. Wright faces trial in state court on criminal charges.

"I came into this proceeding with an open mind," Boylan said. "I wanted to give him an opportunity to fully and fairly defend himself and explain his actions. In my opinion, he just didn't say enough to raise doubts about the allegations against him."

Boylan, a Pinehurst Republican, said he believes the action taken by the House indicates a new, positive direction for the North Carolina General Assembly.

"This institution has suffered a black eye over recent ethics scandals," Boylan said. "Voters and taxpayers across North Carolina have had it with misconduct by public officials in Raleigh. It appears that the General Assembly's leaders are clearly sensing the public's frustration. I believe the House sent a clear message with its action against former Rep. Thomas Wright: If you serve in state government, you need to play by the rules."

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.