Knollwood Precinct has been split, and two polling places will be in use for the Nov. 4 general election.

East Knollwood registrants will vote at the Moore County Airport terminal, and West Knollwood registrants will vote at the Sandhills Community College Garden and Visitor Center. A miniature map of the split may be viewed on the Moore County Web site, accessed through the voter registration quick link.

Three other precinct polling places have been changed in recent weeks and will be in effect on Nov. 4. Bensalem Precinct's polling place has been moved to Bensalem Presbyterian Church. Others previously announced are Robbins, now voting at the Davis Center, and West Aberdeen, now voting at the new Aberdeen Recreation Center.

COBLE BILL -- The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill co-authored by 6th District Congressman Howard Coble.

The House voted 381-41 to approve a bill which was a companion to House Bill 4279, known as the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act.

The vote came Sunday during a period in which Congress was huddling over the controversial financial bailout package that was defeated.

"Every year our economy loses in excess of $200 billion to counterfeiting," Coble said on the House floor Saturday afternoon when the bill was debated. "This has directly impacted many American businesses, particularly the furniture and textile industries that employ so many of my constituents. Today, counterfeiting has grown into a global and illicit black market trade."

Although counterfeit goods undermine legitimate businesses in America, Coble said they also pose a serious threat to the health and safety of consumers. He is the ranking Republican on the House subcommittee with oversight of the nation's copyright and trademark laws.

YOUNG GOP -- Coble returned to the district Monday afternoon when Congress took a short recess in observance of the Jewish Rosh Hashanah.

He was the featured guest Tuesday night when the Young Republicans of Moore County hosted an event for candidates and elected officials at Westmoore Family Restaurant near Robbins.

BARRETT -- Dan Barrett, a candidate for state Court of Appeals judge, has picked up the endorsement of two former Republican governors, Jim Holshouser of Moore County and Jim Martin.

An attorney, Barrett grew up in Scotland County and is a former chairman of the Davie County Board of Commissioners. In 2004 he was a Republican candidate for governor. His campaign included a 582-mile walk from Murphy in the mountains of North Carolina to coastal Swansboro.

"Dan Barrett has the background, legal experience, and judicial philosophy we need on the Court of Appeals," Holshouser said. "I am convinced that Dan Barrett will be fair and impartial. Dan will not legislate from the bench, and he will work to make the reforms we need on the Court of Appeals."

Court of Appeals judge is a nonpartisan office.

RUMOR KILLED -- A warning that voters could not wear clothing promoting candidates at the polling places on Election Day is a rumor and is all wrong, according to George H. Wilson Jr., chairman of the Political Action arm of the Moore County NAACP chapter.

Wilson apologized for circulating the rumor, which, at the time, he thought was a fact.

"Contrary to popular rumor, a voter who is wearing a political cap, T-shirt, or button and does not electioneer within the polling place will be allowed to vote in a normal manner," said the announcement correcting the rumor. Its source was Democracy North Carolina.

Election law does not prohibit anyone from wearing clothing bearing a candidate's likeness or campaign slogan. However, the law does prohibit anyone from campaigning within the polling place. This includes advising another voter to vote for a candidate or handing out cards or other literature in the polling place. Such campaigning may take place within the specified distance outside the polling place.

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