(Axios, Lucille Sherman and Alex Sands) — Election Day is less than two months away, but voting is expected to start in just a few weeks. From school board races to the presidential race, you’ll have quite a few decisions to make on this year’s ballot.
Why it matters: Your vote always matters. But this year, North Carolina voters may decide the race for president. Voters could also help decide which party controls Congress and whether Republicans hold their supermajority in the state legislature.
To see what will be on your specific ballot:
Head to the state’s voter registration lookup, search your name, and scroll until you see a heading titled “YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT.” Click the link under “Your Sample Ballot(s).”
Key dates
Sept. 20: Military and oversees absentee ballots go out to people who’ve requested them, according to the state elections board.
Sept. 24: All other absentee ballots begin being mailed.
Oct. 11: Last day to register to vote. Do so by 5pm, unless you plan to take advantage of same-day registration during the early voting period.
Check that you’re registered to vote and your information is up to date here.
Oct. 17: In-person early voting begins. Find early voting sites.
Oct. 29: Last day to request your absentee ballot. Do so by 5pm.
Nov. 2: In-person early voting ends at 3pm.
Nov. 5: Election Day. Polls are open 6:30am-7:30pm.
Don’t forget your driver’s license or another acceptable photo ID from this list.
Absentee ballots must be returned by 7:30pm. Here’s everything you need to know about voting by mail.
Of note: Absentee ballots were scheduled to go out on Sept. 6 but that date was pushed back after the state Supreme Court ordered county elections boards to reprint ballots without former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name on them.
Important Races Across the State
While the presidential contest takes most of the attention this fall, there are many critical races down the ballot.
Here are some of the biggest state and local contests:
Statewide races
Governor: Mark Robinson (Republican) is running against Josh Stein (Democrat) to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in one of the most expensive and competitive governor’s races in the country, one that will determine which party has veto power.
- Robinson is backed by Trump and has been vocal about ensuring parents’ right to have a say in what their children are taught. As the state’s attorney general, Stein helped win a $26 billion opioid settlement, the second-largest state attorney general settlement in history.
Attorney general: Dan Bishop (Republican) is running against Jeff Jackson (Democrat) to be the state’s top law enforcement officer, which is often a pipeline to the governor’s mansion.
Superintendent of public instruction: Maurice (Mo) Green (Democrat) vs. Michele Morrow (Republican).
- The state superintendent is the “face” and head of the Department of Public Instruction, managing a $11 billion public school budget annually.
- Morrow, who upset incumbent Republican Superintendent Catherine Truitt in the primary, has captured national attention for her contentious past statements, such as calling public schools “indoctrination centers.” She also attended the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and homeschooled her children.
- Green was formerly the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, superintendent of Guilford County Schools and general counsel for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.
N.C. Supreme Court associate justice, seat 6: Jefferson Griffin (Republican) vs. Allison Riggs (Democrat, incumbent).
- Republicans seized a 5-2 majority on the court in the 2022 election, and the winner of this seat will determine if Democrats continue to hold two seats.
7 NCMS Members will be on the 2024 General Election Ballot
North Carolina has six physicians and one physician assistant contending for legislative seats in the 2024 General Election.
NC House of Representatives
Grant Campbell, MD – Ob/Gyn / Concord, NC
Ralph Carter, MD – Orthopaedic Surgery / Laurinburg, NC
Timothy Reeder, MD – (incumbent)Emergency Medicine / Greenville, NC
NC Senate
David Hill, MD – Pediatrics / Wilmington, NC
Mark Hollo, PA – Retired / Conover, NC
US House of Representatives
Steve Feldman, MD – Dermatologist / Winston-Salem, NC
Greg Murphy, MD – (incumbent) Urologist / Greenville, NC
Interviews with each candidate are posted online at the NCMS website and can be accessed at the QR code below.
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