Want to vote in the runoff? There's still time

Early voting has ended for the May runoff election, but those eligible can still vote today from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at their designated polling place.

The runoff election pits incumbent county commissioner Ronnie Worley against opponent Jim Bailey, who very narrowly came out ahead of Worley in the primary election earlier this year.

Both candidates are former law enforcement officers: Ronnie Worley worked for N.C. Highway Patrol, and Jim Bailey worked for the Gaston County Sheriff's Office.

Worley previously served on the Cramerton Board of Commissioners and served two terms as mayor of Cramerton. He was elected to the Gaston County Board of Commissioners in 2016.

The election is Bailey's first time running for elected office.

The only voters eligible to vote in the runoff election are registered Republicans and registered Unaffiliated voters that did not vote in the primary election or Unaffiliated voters that voted a Republican ballot in that election. Democrats, Libertarians, Green, No Labels and Unaffiliated voters that voted a Democratic ballot are not eligible to participate in the runoff election.

Voters also will decide the Republican candidates for the N.C. lieutenant governor and the N.C. auditor.

So far, 1,123 people have voted in the runoff election, out of 113,657 eligible voters, according to statistics provided by the Gaston County Board of Elections.