Early voting will begin Friday for a sales tax to fund area fire departments, plus primary elections for sheriff, county clerk and United States representative.

Registered voters may vote early at the Bryan County Election Board, 217, N. 16th Ave., from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Monday, and 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on election day Tuesday. Voters should have their voter identification card or driver license.

Voters will be voting on a county question for a one-quarter cent sales tax to provide funding for all Bryan County fire departments, the Bryan County Communications Center and the Bryan County Fire Chiefs Association.

The tax, if approved, would be permanent, and would be used for the purpose of fire protection, prevention, communications, training-related expenses (not to include salaries), and Fire/EMS/Rescue operations. This would include maintenance/construction of buildings, purchase and maintenance of equipment, vehicles and supplies. The funds would be distributed equally among all fire departments located in Bryan County.

Five people are running for the office of county sheriff. Democrats Kenneth Golden, Roy J. Brown and John L. Bates are seeking the office. Republicans running for sheriff are Wayne Levins and John D. Wyatt. Current Sheriff Bill Sturch, first elected in 1992, did not seek reelection.

Two Democrats filed for County Commissioner, District No. 2. Incumbent commissioner Tony Simmons is being challenged by Chad White.

A primary runoff election, if necessary, will be held Aug. 28, and the general election is Nov. 6.

Six Republicans and three Democrats are seeking the office of United States Representative District No. 2, currently held by Democrat Dan Boren, who did not seek reelection.

Republicans seeking the officer are Dwayne Thompson, George Faught, Wayne Pettigrew, Dakota Wood, Markwayne Mullin and Dustin Rowe. Democrats who filed for the office are Wayne Herriman, Earl E. Everett and Rob Wallace.

Republican voters will also be choosing between Bob Anthony and Brooks Mitchell for corporation commissioner.