Applications for absentee ballots are now available at the Rowan County Board of Elections.

An immediate relative may make an application for a ballot to be sent to a voter who is out of town or for a voter who is confined to the home and cannot get to the polls on Election Day.

The application deadline is Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.

Absentee ballots will be counted at the board’s office on March 3, primary election day, beginning at 2 p.m.

Rowan County residents who are not registered and wish to vote in the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Constitution or Green Primary Elections must register by Feb. 7.

Early voting begins Feb. 13 and continues until Feb. 29.

The Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Constitution and Green Party Primary Elections will be held on March 3. That’s in addition to the Kannapolis Board of Education elections for Area I (Cabarrus) and Area II (Rowan) as well as a $45 million bond referendum for a technology education complex at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Any questions may be answered by calling the Board of Elections Office at 704-216-8140 or go to rowancountync.gov.

Lt. Gov. Forest supports Second Amendment resolutions

Joining counties across North Carolina and the nation, Rowan County commissioners passed a Second Amendment resolution on Jan. 10 in response to gun-control legislation introduced in Virginia and inflammatory statements by Democratic state legislators there.

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who is running as a Republican candidate for governor, spoke out in support of counties approving or considering resolutions affirming Second Amendment rights.

“The Second Amendment secures all the rights enshrined in our Constitution,” Forest said. “I stand with the North Carolina counties that are affirming our right to keep and bear arms. When I am governor, this right will never be in jeopardy in our state.”

Some pro-Second Amendment citizens in Cabarrus County, led by commissioner candidate Barbara Strang, are requesting a resolution stating, “Our Second Amendment Rights Shall Not Be Infringed Upon” to be placed on the agenda for their Jan. 21 meeting.

N.C. Rep. Larry Pittman, R-83, and Cabarrus County Sheriff Van Shaw have spoken in favor of the resolution.

Burr, Tillis support USMCA passage

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was approved by the U.S. Senate Thursday, 89-10, with North Carolina Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis in support of the agreement.

It will now go to President Donald Trump, who wanted a new policy, to be signed into law.

Burr said he applauded Trump for negotiating a deal that puts America’s and North Carolina’s interests first.

“Congress’s passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is long-awaited and welcome news for North Carolina’s farmers and manufacturers,” Burr said. “North Carolina is one of the biggest manufacturing and agricultural producers in the nation. Our small business owners, workers, and farmers rely on free and fair trade to grow their operations, provide for their families, and create more jobs.”

Burr, who is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, voted USMCA out of the committee earlier this month.

Tillis said the trade deal will create new opportunities for North Carolina workers, farmers and small business owners.

“This is going to be a great opportunity for workers in N.C. and across the country, especially our farmers and small businesses,” Tillis said. “I’m proud to have supported the USMCA and I’m glad it’s heading to the president’s desk.”