Much of the national attention is already looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election. But in North Carolina, hundreds of cities and towns across the state are getting ready to elect local leaders this fall.

What You Need To Know

  •  Hundreds of North Carolina towns and cities will hold municipal elections this fall

  •  There's an open race for High Point mayor and a crowded field for the city's at-large council seat

  •  This is the first election to require voter ID under the new law

  •  Most primaries are scheduled for Oct. 10 and the General Election is Nov. 7

There’s an open race for mayor in High Point after incumbent Jay Wagner decided not to run for reelection. City Council members Victor Jones and Cyril Jefferson are running for mayor this year, along with Richard Siddiqui and Gene Kininmonth.

There will be an Oct. 10 primary to whittle down the field for mayor of High Point. There will be primaries for the other High Point City Council elections, including the crowded at-large race with eight candidates running for two open seats.

 

In Burlington, which straddles Alamance and Guilford counties, Beth Kennett is challenging incumbent Jim Butler in the race for mayor. 

There are eight candidates vying for two open city council seats in Burlington. 

Dozens of other small cities and towns will also have elections this fall. Election Day is set for Nov. 7, with early voting beginning Oct. 19.

Voter ID

The big change for elections this year in North Carolina will be voter ID. Voters will be required to show photo identification to cast a ballot. 

The North Carolina Supreme Court overturned its own decision earlier this year to require voter ID.

The 2023 municipal elections will be the first time voters are required to show ID with the new law. Most will be able to show their driver’s license. 

For those without a photo ID, people can get one for free from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. County election boards will also give photo IDs to people who need them and require less paperwork than the DMV.  

There are also exceptions for people who cannot show ID, including lack of transportation, disability or illness, not having the documents needed to get an ID or for a lost or stolen ID. 

People who vote by mail will be required to include a photocopy of their photo ID along with their ballot. 

Election schedule

County elections officials have a busy schedule in the coming months, with hundreds of local elections around the state to manage.

Aug. 18: Voter registration deadline for primaries in Charlotte and Sanford

Aug. 24: One-stop, in-person early voting begins for primaries in Charlotte and Sanford

Sept. 5: Absentee ballot request deadline for September primaries (5 p.m.)

Sept. 9: One-stop, in-person early voting ends for September primaries

Sept. 12: Election Day for primaries in Charlotte and Sanford

Sept. 15: Civilian voter registration deadline for October elections

Sept. 21: One-stop, in-person early voting begins for October elections

Oct. 3: Absentee ballot request deadline for October elections

Oct. 7: One-stop, in-person early voting ends for October elections

Oct. 10: Election Day in municipalities with October elections

Oct. 13: Voter registration deadline for November elections

Oct. 19: One-stop, in-person early voting begins for November elections

Oct. 31: Absentee ballot request deadline for November elections (5 p.m.)

Nov. 4: One-stop, in-person early voting ends for November elections

Nov. 7: Election Day in municipalities with November elections