Here's your guide for navigating North Carolina's March primary elections

It’s primary season once again, and the presidential race isn’t the only high-stakes election to watch this year. This year North Carolina voters will also elect a governor, Council of State, U.S. Senator, U.S. congressional representatives, judges and new General Assembly members.

When are the primary elections?

March 3, or “Super Tuesday.” In 2018, Gov. Roy Cooper signed a law moving primary elections to March from May. Thirteen other states have scheduled primary elections for March 3, including Texas and California, the two most populous. 

How do I vote?

You can check Orange County’s website to find your polling place and sample ballot. Orange County also offers in-person early voting, which begins Feb. 13, and absentee voting by mail, which begins Jan. 13.

To vote absentee, voters need to fill out a request form and turn it in by Feb. 25. Orange County no longer accepts faxed or emailed forms, so voters must mail the form to P.O. Box 220, Hillsborough, NC 27278 or hand deliver it to 208 S. Cameron Street in Hillsborough. All absentee ballots are due to the Orange County Board of Elections office by 5 p.m. on March 3.

You must be registered to vote in Orange County to participate in the county's primaries. You can fill out the voter registration form and hand it to the Orange County Board of Elections office by 5 p.m. on Feb. 7. If you miss that deadline, you can also register during the early voting period by bringing valid ID and voting on the same day.

Do I need a voter ID?

No. On Dec. 31, a federal district court struck down North Carolina’s voter photo ID law. Attorney General Josh Stein said in a Jan. 2 news release that the North Carolina Department of Justice will appeal the ruling. However, the N.C. Department of Justice won’t request that it take effect before the election to avoid confusion.

What are the stakes?

North Carolina is a key swing state in the presidential election, and many of our statewide elections are competitive, especially the governor and U.S. senate races. Our congressional and senatorial elections will help decide which party controls Congress.

This year, North Carolina voters will choose all 13 congressional representatives in new voting districts. A state panel of judges struck down the 2018 maps and ordered new ones, which the General Assembly approved in November. The Democrats challenged the maps soon after, but the panel upheld them in December. Experts predict the new map will narrow the Republicans’ advantage from 10 seats to eight.

North Carolina voters will also elect a U.S. senator, a race POLITICO’s nonpartisan 2020 Election Forecast characterized as a “toss-up.”

Incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis R-N.C. faces three primary challengers: Paul Wright, Sharon Hudson and Larry Holmquist. Five Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination, including state senator Erica Smith and Army veteran Cal Cunningham, who was endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

All 170 seats of N.C. General Assembly’s are also up for election in 2020, and the winners will draw North Carolina’s voting maps for the next decade – which may include an extra congressional district. According to an Election Data Services report, 2019 Census population data suggests that North Carolina will gain a 14th congressional seat.

Here’s a list of statewide and local candidates.

U.S. SENATE

The Constitution Party:

• Kevin E. Hayes

Website: None.

Libertarians:

• Shannon W. Bray

Website: https://www.shannonbray.us/

Democrats:

• Cal Cunningham

Website: https://www.calfornc.com/

• Trevor M. Fuller

Website: https://www.fullerfornorthcarolina.com/

• Atul Goel

Website: http://www.atulgoelforsenate.com/

• N.C. Sen. Erica D. Smith (D-Beaufort)

Website: https://ericaforus.org/

• Steve Swenson

Website: https://steveswensonforsenate.org/

Republicans:

• Larry Holmquist

Website: None.

• Sharon Y. Hudson

Website: https://twitter.com/ElectSharonHuds

• U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis R-N.C., incumbent

Website: https://www.thomtillis.com/

• Paul Wright

Website: http://wrightforuscongress.com/

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Democrats:

• Rep. David E. Price, incumbent

Website: https://priceforcongress.com/

• Daniel Ulysses Lockwood

Website: https://www.lockwood4nc.com/

Republicans:

• Debesh Sarkar

Website: https://debeshsarkar2020.com/

• Steve A. (Von) Loor

Website: http://steveavonloor.org/

• Robert Thomas

Website: None.

• Nasir A. Shaikh

Website: None.

N.C. GOVERNOR

The Constitution Party

• Al Pisano

Website: None.

Democrats:

• Gov. Roy Cooper, incumbent

Website: https://roycooper.com/

• Ernest T. Reeves

Website: https://www.ernestreeves.com/

Libertarians:

• Steven J. DiFiore

Website: None.

Republicans:

• N.C. Rep. Holly Grange (R-New Hannover)

Website: https://hollygrangenc.com/

• Lt. Gov. Dan Forest

Website: https://www.danforest.com/

N.C. LT. GOVERNOR

Democrats:

• Bill Toole

Website: https://votebilltoole.com/

• N.C. Sen. Terry Van Duyn (D-Buncombe)

Website: http://votevanduyn.com/

• N.C. Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley (D-Wake)

Website: https://yvonnelewisholley.com/

• N.C. Rep. Chaz Beasley (D-Mecklenburg)

Website: https://chazbeasley.com/

• Hoke County Commissioner Allen Thomas

Website: http://www.allenthomasjr.com/

• Ron Newton

Website: https://www.electronaldlnewton.com/

Republicans:

• Mark Robinson

Website: https://www.markrobinsonfornc.com/

• Deborah Cochran

Website: https://www.votecochranforncltgov.com/

• N.C. Sen. Andy Wells (R-Alexander and Catawba)

Website: https://andywells.org/

• Greg Gebhardt

Website: https://www.jointeamgreg.com/

• Renee Ellmers

Website: https://www.reneeellmers.com/

• Scott Stone

Website: https://electscottstone.com/

• Buddy Bengel

Website: https://buddyfornc.com/

• John L. Ritter

Website: https://www.johnlritter.org/

• Mark Johnson, N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction

Website: None.

N.C. ATTORNEY GENERAL

Democrats:

• Josh Stein, incumbent

Website: http://www.joshstein.org/

Republicans:

• Jim O'Neill

Website: https://www.jimoneillnc.com/

• Sam Hayes

Website: https://www.samhayesfornc.com/

• Christine Mumma

Website: None.

N.C. AUDITOR

Democrats

• Beth A. Wood, incumbent

Website: https://www.bethwoodcampaign.com/

• Luis A. Toledo

Website: https://www.luistoledofornc.com/

Republicans

• Anthony Wayne (Tony) Street

Website: None.

• Tim Hoegemeyer

Website: https://www.hoege4auditor.com/home

N.C. COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE

Democrats:

• Donovan Alexander Watson

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Donnie.U.NO.Watson

• Jenna Wadsworth, Wake County soil and water conservation district supervisor

Website: https://www.jennawadsworth.com/

• Walter Smith

Website: http://votewaltersmith.com/

Republicans:

• Steve Troxler, incumbent

Website: http://www.stevetroxler.com/

N.C. COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE

Democrats:

• Wayne Goodwin

Website: http://waynegoodwin.org/

Republicans:

• Mike Causey, incumbent

Website: https://mikecauseync.com/

• Ronald Pierce

Website: https://www.pierce4insurance.com/

N.C. COMMISSIONER OF LABOR

Democrats:

• Jessica Holmes, Wake County Commissioners chairperson

Website: https://jessicaholmesnc.com/

Republicans

• Pearl Burris Floyd

Website: https://pearlfornc.com/

• N.C. Rep. Josh Dobson (R-McDowell)

Website: https://www.joshforlabor.com/

• Chuck Stanley

Website: https://www.facebook.com/castanley22

SECRETARY OF STATE

Democrats

• Elaine Marshall, incumbent

Website: https://www.elainemarshall.com/

Republicans

• Chad Brown

Website: https://electchadbrown.com/

• E.C. Sykes

Website: https://ecfornc.com/

• Michael LaPaglia

Website: https://www.lapagliafornc.com/

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Democrats:

• James Barrett

Website: https://barrettforschools.com/

• Constance (Lav) Johnson

Website: https://constancelavjohnson.com/

• Jen Mangrum

Website: https://www.jenmangrumfornc.com/

• Michael Maher

Website: https://www.maherfornc.com/

• Keith A. Sutton, Wake County school board member

Website: https://votekeithsutton.com/

Republicans:

• N.C. Rep. Craig Horn (R-Union)

Website: http://craighorn.com/

• Catherine Truitt

Website: https://catherinetruitt.com/

N.C. TREASURER

Democrats:

• Matt Leatherman

Website: https://mattfornc.com/

• Ronnie Chatterji

Website: https://www.ronniechatterji.com/

• Dimple Ajmera

Website: https://www.dimpleajmera.com/

Republicans

• Dale R. Folwell, incumbent

Website: https://www.dalefolwell.com/

SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE SEAT 01

Democrats

• Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, incumbent

Website: https://www.chiefjusticebeasley.com/

Republicans

• Associate Justice Paul Newby

Website: https://www.paulnewby.com/

N.C. SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 02

Democrats

• N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman

Website: https://www.lucyinmanforjustice.com/

Republicans

• N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Phil Berger, Jr.

Website: http://philbergerjr.org/landing/justice/

SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 04

Democrats

• Justice Mark Davis, incumbent

Website: https://justicemarkdavis.com/

Republicans

• Tamara Barringer

Website: https://www.tamarabarringer.com/

N.C. COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 04

Democrats

• Tricia Shields

Website: https://www.shieldsforjudge.com/

Republicans

• District Court Judge April C. Wood

Website: https://www.judgewoodforcoa.com/

N.C. COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 05

Democrats

• Superior Court Judge Lora Christine Cubbage

Website: http://cubbageforjudge.com/home

Republicans

• District Court Judge Fred Gore

Website: http://judgefredgore.com/

N.C. COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 06

Democrats

• Gray Styers

Website: https://styersforjudge.com/about/

Republicans

• Judge Chris Dillon, incumbent

Website: https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/chris-dillon

N.C. COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 07

Democrats

• Judge Reuben F. Young, incumbent

Website: https://www.keepjudgeyoung.com/meet-judge-reuben

Republicans

• Superior Court Judge Jeff Carpenter

Website: https://www.electjeffcarpenter.com/

N.C. COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 13

Democrats

• Judge Chris Brook, incumbent

Website: https://www.keepjudgechrisbrook.com/

Republicans

• District Court Judge Jefferson G. Griffin

Website: https://www.jeffersongriffin.com/

N.C. STATE SENATE DISTRICT 23

Democrats

• N.C. Sen. Valerie P. Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange), incumbent

Website: valeriefoushee.com

Republicans

• Tom Glendinning

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Glendinning-for-NC-Senate-23-2150489571904641/

N.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 050

Democrats

• N.C. Rep. Graig R. Meyer (D-Caswell, Orange) , incumbent

Website: https://www.graigmeyer.com/

Republicans

None

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 056

Democrats 

• N.C. Rep. Verla C. Insko (D-Orange), incumbent

Website: https://verlainsko.com/

• Joe Parrish

Website: https://twitter.com/joeparrishnc?lang=en

LOCAL ELECTIONS

Orange County voters will elect new county commissioners, school board members and district court judges this year.

Four of seven county commissioner seats are up for election, and all four incumbent commissioners are running for reelection. Four of the Orange County School Board’s seven seats are also up for election, but only Vice Chairperson Tony McKnight is running for reelection.

N.C. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 15B SEAT 02

Democrats 

• Samantha H. Cabe, incumbent

Website: facebook.com/samantha4judge

Republicans

None

N.C. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 15B SEAT 03

Democrats

• Lamar F. Proctor, Jr.

Website: https://www.proctorforjudge.com/

• Noah Oswald

Website: https://oswaldforjudge.com/

• Hathaway Pendergrass

Website: https://hathawaypendergrass.com/

• Erika R. Bales

Website: None.

Republicans

None

N.C. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 15B SEAT 04

Democrats

• Sherri Murrell, incumbent

Website: facebook.com/sherriforjudge

Republicans

None

N.C. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 15B SEAT 05

Democrats

•  Beverly A. Scarlett, incumbent

Website: None.

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AT-LARGE

Democrats 

• Amy Fowler

Website: http://amyfororange.nationbuilder.com/

• Mark Marcoplos, incumbent

Website: https://twitter.com/mmarcoplos?lang=en

Republicans

None

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 01

Democrats:

• Penny Rich, incumbent

Website: http://pennyfororange.com/

• Jean Hamilton

Website: https://jeanhamilton.org/

• Mark Dorosin, incumbent

Website: http://markdorosin.org/

Republicans

None

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 02

Democrats 

• Renee Price, incumbent

Website: https://www.orangecountync.gov/1007/Renee-Price

Republicans

None

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION

• Lori Bateman

Website: None.

• Carrie Doyle

Website: https://carriedoyleforocs.org/

• Tony McKnight, incumbent vice chairperson

Website: None.

• Jennifer D. Moore

Website: https://www.facebook.com/moore4ocsb/

• Bonnie Hauser

Website: https://www.facebook.com/bonniehauser4OCS/

• LaTarndra Strong

Website: None.

• Jennie McCray

Website: None.

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