Residents have one month left to register to vote in November

As of today, you have one month left to register to vote in the General Election on Nov. 4.

We urge people to register to vote and then to participate in elections every time.

And with a number of important local races in Florence and the Pee Dee, as well as the race for president, there is certainly every reason for people to register and to vote.

We say it every election, and we said it after the Florence mayor’s Democratic Primary race.

Every vote counts.

We have had elections that were close before but probably not where “one vote” was the difference.

Here, in Florence, there are two races expected to get plenty of attention.

The race for mayor will continue because of former mayor Rocky Pearce’s petition candidacy to oppose Stephen J. Wukela.

And there is the much talked about race between incumbent Sheriff Kenney Boone and former sheriff Jimmy Gregg, who four years ago endorsed Boone.

And now Gregg, a Democrat, will run against Boone, who changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

In the Pee Dee, depending on where you live, you will vote on your next member in Congress.

Incumbents John Spratt and James Clyburn, both Democrats, have opposition.

Albert Spencer is running against Spratt, and Nancy Harrelson is running against Clyburn. Both are Republicans.

And, of course, there is the presidential election.

No matter how the race between Barack Obama and John McCain turns out, it will make history.

Either America will have its first African-American as president or its first woman as vice president.

According to a release from the South Carolina Election Commission, there are some 800,000 eligible voters in our state who have yet to register to vote.

That’s pretty incredible considering the interest in this election.

That’s why we are urging people to first register to vote.

You can do that by going to your local county voter registration office.

And you need to do that before Oct. 4, which is the last day to register. Remember, that’s a Saturday. Some voter registration offices may or may not be open that day.

And for those that are open, some will not be open all day.

Just don’t wait.

And once you register, make sure you vote.

Turnout is usually high in presidential election years.

But it’s always much fewer than those who are registered to vote.

Remember — your vote can make a difference.