With early voting for midterm elections underway, over 78,000 individuals in Wake County have cast their ballots as of Wednesday at early voting locations, including at Talley Student Union.
The following guide includes candidates for federal, state and local offices as well as the proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution, bond referenda and general election information.
Candidates: Federal Offices
4th Congressional District (Includes Wake County):
These candidates are running to be the U.S. House Representative for North Carolina’s 4th congressional district. This district is located in the central region of the state and includes two-thirds of Raleigh, all of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and portions of Durham. Each representative is elected to a two-year term serving the people of their specific congressional district. David Price has served in this position since 1997 and previously from 1987 to 1995.
Howe is looking to end mass imprisonment for minor offenses and believes that the justice system should impose punishments that are more proportional to the crime committed. Howe wants to lower the cost of higher education without reducing its quality by having colleges reduce non-academic salaries and stop requiring interest payments on tuition. Lastly, Howe argues that DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) must be restored and strengthened and that illegal immigrants should be provided with a federally recognized legal status, allowing them to participate in economic and social life.
Von Loor promises to fight every piece of legislation that seeks to increase regulations on small businesses and to support cuts to the corporate tax rate. He believes that public schools must increase the presence of school resource officers to better protect themselves, and he wants to push for a voucher-based education program. On the issue of immigration, Van Loor promises to “wholeheartedly stand with President Trump in all his efforts to secure our borders and make America safe again.”
David Price, Democrat (Incumbent)
Price wants to strengthen the public policy support system in the Triangle region, specifically by increasing investments in a strong public education, community college and university systems. Price supports efforts to protect the environment and believes that natural resources are critical to the nation’s national security, public health and quality of life. Price wants Congress to write sensible budgets for the country’s international responsibilities, support our democracy and foster our relationship with international alliances.
Candidates: State Offices
North Carolina Senate District 18:
Brad Hessel, Libertarian
Mack Paul, Democrat
John Alexander, Republican
North Carolina House of Representatives District 49:
Jonathan Horst, Libertarian
David Robertson Republican
Cynthia Ball, Democrat
Candidates: Prosecutorial Offices
District Attorney:
Nancy Lorrin Freeman, Democrat (Incumbent)
John Walter Bryant, Republican
Candidates: County Offices
Wake County Board of Commissioners:
District 1
Sig Hutchinson, Democrat (Incumbent)
Greg Jones, Republican
Tim Jowers, Libertarian
District 2:
Frann L. Sarpolus, Republican
Matt Calabria, Democrat
District 3:
Jessica Holmes, Democrat
District 4:
Kim Coley, Republican
Susan P. Evans, Democrat
District 5:
James West, Democrat (Incumbent)
District 6:
Greg Ford, Democrat
David Blackwelder, Republican
District 7:
Vicky Adamson, Democrat (Incumbent)
Alex Moore, Republican
Wake County Sheriff:
Donnie Harrison, Republican, party (Incumbent)
Gerald Baker, Democrat
Clerk of Superior Court:
Jennifer Knox, Republican
Blair Williams, Democrat
Candidates: Judicial Offices
North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 1:
Barbara Jackson, Republican
Christopher (Chris) Anglin, Republican
Anita Earls, Democrat
North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 1:
Andrew T. Heath, Republican
John S. Arrowood, Democrat
North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 2:
Jefferson G. Griffin, Republican
Tobias (Toby) Hampson, Democrat
Sandra Alice Ray, Republican
North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 3:
Chuck Kitchen, Republican
Michael Monaco, Sr., Libertarian
Allegra Katherine Collins, Democrat
North Carolina District Court Judge District 10D Seat 1:
Margaret Phillips Eagles, Democrat
North Carolina District Court Judge District 10D Seat 2:
Nicolette Fulton, Unaffiliated
Walter Rand, Democrat
J. Brian Ratledge, Republican
Evan Charles Schreier, Republican
Rebecca Anne Edwards, Democrat
North Carolina District Court Judge District 10D Seat 3:
Ned W. Mangum, Republican
Candidates: Nonpartisan Offices
Board of Education District 6:
Christine Kushner
Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor:
Jonathan Garza
Ian McMillan
Jennifer (Jenna) Austin Wadsworth
David P. Adams
Nervahna Crew
Amendments
There are six proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution.
The Right to Hunt, Fish and Harvest Wildlife Amendment
This amendment would establish that public hunting and fishing are a “preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.” These rights will only be subject to laws enacted by the NC General Assembly. If passed, the amendment will not affect any laws regarding trespassing, property rights or eminent domain.
Victims’ Rights Amendment
The North Carolina Constitution guarantees victims of certain crimes to a number of rights such as the right to be informed of and present at proceedings related to the accused. This amendment will strengthen protections for victims of crime, increase the victim’s number of rights and ensure the enforcement of these rights. It would also expand the types of offenses that trigger victims’ rights to include all crimes against the person and felony property crimes.
State Income Tax Cap Amendment
The current maximum personal and corporate income tax rate in the North Carolina Constitution is 10 percent. This amendment would lower it and cap it at 7 percent. This amendment will not reduce the current individual income tax rate of 5.499 percent, it only limits how much the state income tax rate could go up.
Voter Identification Amendment
This amendment will require voters to show photographic identification before they are eligible to vote in-person. This amendment does not apply to absentee voting. The amendment would require the state legislature to pass laws to govern the photo ID requirement.
Judicial Vacancies Amendment
Currently, the Governor has sole appointment power of selecting a replacement judge to fill vacancies between judicial elections. This amendment would limit the Governor’s current authority by giving the legislature the power to recommend a list of two or more finalists for any judicial vacancy. The Governor will then choose someone to fill the vacancy from this list.
Ethics and Elections Board Amendment
This amendment would reduce the current Bipartisan Board of Ethics and Elections from nine members to eight by removing the only member who represents unaffiliated voters. This amendment would remove the independent member of the board, leaving four Democrats and four Republicans. The board is currently under the control of the executive branch, with the Governor in charge of appointing members. The amendment would give this power to the Senate leader and House speaker, placing the board under the legislature’s control.
Wake County Bond Referenda
What it is: a bond referendum is when voters have the opportunity to vote for or against proposed spending for a unit of government.
Wake County Public School System Improvements Bond
This referendum asks voters if they want to approve $548 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund the capital budget. This money will go toward new school construction, renovations technology upgrades, security improvements and other capital expenses. The referendum would also authorize a corresponding increase in property taxes to pay for the interest on the bonds.
The Wake Technical Community College 2018 Bond
This referendum asks voters to approve $349 million in bonds to fund new buildings for Wake Technical Community College over the next four years. The new buildings and projects include: automotive and collision repair building, advanced industries building and parking deck, health science building and parking deck, simulation and tactical response center, repair and replacement projects, infrastructure upgrades, a parking deck and additional classroom buildings. The referendum would also authorize a corresponding increase in property taxes to pay for the interest on the bonds.
More information on the projects can be located here.
Parks, Greenways, Recreation and Open Space Bond
This referendum asks voters to approve $120 million, six-year bond for open space preservation, greenway development, new park and nature preserve construction, and existing park renovations. The referendum would also authorize a corresponding increase in property taxes to pay for the interest on the bonds.
More information on the projects can be located here.
General Information
General election day and absentee voting deadline is Nov. 6. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 30 at 5 p.m.
Locations for early voting in Wake County, which will continue until Nov. 3, include:
Apex Community Center located at 53 Hunter Street, Apex
Chavis Community Center located at 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Raleigh
Herbert C. Young Community Center located at 101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary
Knightdale Recreation Center located at 101 Lawson Ridge Road, Knightdale
Lake Lynn Community Center located at 7921 Ray Road, Raleigh
NC State Talley Student Union located at 2610 Cates Avenue, Raleigh
Northern Regional Center located at 350 E. Holding Avenue, Wake Forest
Optimist Community Center located at 5900 Whittier Drive, Raleigh
Wake County Board of Elections Office located at 337 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh
Wake Tech Community College South Campus Physical Education Building located at 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh
All early voting sites are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Talley Student Union is considered a one-stop early voting location, meaning individuals can register and vote on the same day. Registration can be completed at the polling place in Talley. Individuals are required to bring a proof of residence. This can include a current and valid photo ID or a document showing name and current address of applicant.
Individuals can register to vote in Wake County if they are:
- A U.S. citizen
- 18 years of age or older
- A legal resident of Wake County for at least 30 days prior to election day
- Not a felon with an active sentence
Voters can check their registration status here.
