If the first morning of early voting is any indication, the 2010 primaries will have a large turnout.

This according to County Elections Director Connie Kelly, who said more than 80 voters turned out to cast an early ballot before noon Thursday.

She said campaign tents were set up in the parking lot adjacent to the Board of Elections on Hancock Street in Rockingham, signaling the true beginning of the campaign season.

Early voting kicked off at 8 a.m., and runs through 1 p.m. on May 1.

New voters who missed the deadline last Thursday can show up to the early voting site with proper identification and register to vote and cast a ballot on the same visit.

Kelly said that one of the largest draws in this election promises to be the race to determine who will be the county’s next top law enforcement officer, but other local races should draw lots of attention.

For the first time in 16 years, and the second time in more than 50 years, there is no incumbent running for Sheriff of Richmond County.

Sheriff Dale Furr announced in September he wouldn’t seek reelection, leaving the candidate field open for the half a dozen who are trying to take his place.

Of the six candidates, four are Democrats and two are Republicans. The primary election will determine which two will face off in November.

In the field of Democrats, there are three ranking members of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and former Rockingham Police Chief and Richmond County Magistrate Eddie Martin.

Major James Clemmons heads up the RCSO Civil and Patrol Divisions, Captain Wendall Sessoms heads up its Detective Division and Captain Bo Frye heads up security at the county courthouse.

The two Republicans in the race are Rockingham restaurant owner Georgia Cagle and Laurinburg auto repair shop owner Doug Brown.

In addition, a plethora of Democrats are vying for four nominations for county commissioner,.

District Attorney Michael Parker also faces a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Reece Saunders on the heels of a public hearing for a challenge to Parker’s eligibility to run.

The prosecutor came out victorious in his own trial to determine if he should be considered a resident of Richmond County, and now faces another hurdle to keeping his job as the district attorney in Richmond, Anson and Stanly counties.

The county school board race is also contested with three incumbents and two challengers vying for four seats on the panel.

In addition, there are contested races for the U.S. Senate seat held by Richard Burr, the U.S. Representative seat held by Larry Kissell, the N.C. Senate seat held by Bill Purcell and the N.C. Rep. seat being vacated by Melanie Wade-Goodwin.

The date of the primary election is May 4, and there will be 16 polling places throughout Richmond County.

Campaigners will be asked to stay 50 feet away from the entrance to the polling station.

For any questions about your voter registration status, call the Richmond County Board of Elections at 997-8253.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.