Voters are casting ballots early in three runoff elections in Wake County, with contests for party nominations for sheriff and two seats on the Cary Town Council.

Early voting runs until 3 p.m. on July 23. Election Day is July 26.

Two Democrats, incumbent Sheriff Gerald M. Baker and challenger Willie Rowe, a longtime member of the sheriff’s office, are vying for the party nomination.

The winner of the runoff will go up against Donnie Harrison in the November general election. Harrison served as Wake County sheriff from 2002 to 2018.

Rowe won about 5,000 more votes than Baker in the May 17 primary, but he did not hit the 30% needed to avoid a runoff. Rowe worked as an officer with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office for 28 years before seeking election for the top job.

Wake County Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast ballots in the sheriff’s primary runoffs.

Both Democratic candidates say staffing is one of the biggest challenges for the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, as it is for many law enforcement agencies around North Carolina.

Rowe has criticized Baker for a lack of transparency, which, he said, has led to more staffing problems and issues with trust in the community.

“By being transparent and available to staff, I will set the example of what’s expected of personnel when engaging with members of the public,” Rowe said on his campaign site.

Baker pledges accountability and transparency in his campaign for reelection.

“Being skilled in the performance of our duties and governed by the code of ethics that demands integrity by word or by act, publicly and privately, the allegiance to our oath of office and the laws that govern our nation,” Baker said on his site.

The sheriff’s office is in charge of law enforcement in unincorporated areas in the county and runs Wake County’s jails.

There are two nonpartisan town council races with runoffs in Cary, for District C and one at-large seat that represents the entire town. There are no primaries for the nonpartisan town council.

Municipal elections in Cary and a handful of other cities in North Carolina were pushed back this year because of delays getting the 2020 census results. The census held back the election because new population numbers were needed to draw new lines for Cary’s town council districts.

Two candidates are in a race for one of the two at-large seats on the council: Carissa Johnson and Ken George.

“Ken George will ensure that as Cary continues to thrive in the coming years, the council will employ smart growth policies that support needed infrastructure and its maintenance. By prioritizing vital programs and budgeting tax dollars, Ken will help our community steadily move forward and ensure all parts of Cary receive equitable benefits of our town’s success,” according to George’s campaign website.

“His vision supports putting a priority on Greenway expansion, stormwater management, green energy, and tree canopy protection that can tap into the sense of community and volunteerism and continue the spirit of accessibility and friendliness that Cary is proud to represent,” George said.

Johnson, for her part, said, “Municipal leaders have a responsibility to provide solid, focused support for Workforce and Affordable Housing initiatives. A diverse Cary requires municipal support for citizens who are housing-cost burdened. Cary needs a real plan to increase affordable housing options, so our kids' teachers, public safety, service sector, and others who serve our citizens can call Cary home and enjoy the amenities of the communities they serve.”

“The time for real, actionable green and environmental protections and policies is now and I will tirelessly advocate to preserve our canopy, reduce negative environmental impacts, and make Cary a leader in solar power initiatives,” Johnson said on her site.

In the District C race, Renee Miller is challenging incumbent Jack Smith.

Miller said she plans to focus “on the needs, not the wants, of the town and keeping spending in check; comparing services offered in our town to similar cities and towns; and exploring ways to reduce taxes in both challenging and robust economic climates,” according to her campaign site.

She said she also wants to focus on infrastructure and public safety. Her goals for the police department are “providing the men and women who protect and serve our communities with the proper equipment and training; being competitive with other municipalities, so we are able to hire and keep the best of the best; and encouraging maximum citizen participation in taking responsibility for safety awareness.”

Smith, on his town council page, states, “Since the beginning of his public service over three decades ago, Jack’s four primary goals for Cary have been fundamentally the same: responsible growth, fiscal management, economic development and environmental stewardship.”

“Jack believes that Cary should grow in a responsible manner and not at the expense of current residents. Growth must pay for itself and not harm the community’s quality of life. The Town must protect neighborhoods, invest in parks and open space, and maintain high-quality recreational programs. At the same time, Cary taxes should remain as low as possible,” according to the official town site.

Early voting runs until Saturday, June 23 at 3 p.m. and Election Day is July 26. There are two early voting sites for this election in Wake County:

• Herbert C. Young Community Center
  101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary, NC 27513
• Wake County Board of Elections Office
  1200 N. New Hope Rd., Raleigh, NC 27610

On Election Day, voters can cast ballots at their usual polling sites.