Nearly 300 people cast their vote on the first day of early voting, showing the one-race election carries as much importance as you might expect.

Charles Blackwood and David Caldwell are in a runoff for Orange County Sheriff. Because no Republicans filed before the May 6 Primary, one of those men will take the place of Lindy Pendergrass, who has served in that role for 32 years.

Only the Board of Elections Headquarters is taking votes in the early voting process because of the historically low turnout for runoffs. All 44 precincts will be open on Election Day, July 15.

Comparing day one of this early voting period to day one of the Primary in May, 180 fewer voters cast their ballot on Thursday. The polls were closed Friday due to the July 4 holiday.

The polls open again Monday at 9:00 a.m.; they’ll be opened each day this week until 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Election Day is July 15, and all the polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.