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.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo is running unopposed for his eighth term. He is the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. 

What You Need To Know

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

  •  Many mayors in the area are running unopposed, including in Wilmington

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

  •  The General Election is Nov. 7

Mayors in Beaufort, Whiteville, Kure Beach, Jacksonville, Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, Surf City and several smaller towns are running unopposed this year. 

 

Most elections on the coast are nonpartisan and will not have primaries. Election Day is 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