Vote Early: Oct. 17 - Nov. 2
Election Day Nov. 5
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR
The Governor manages the state’s operations, appoints agency heads, recruits new jobs, and can veto legislation.
MARK ROBINSON
REPUBLICAN
Current occupation: Lieutenant Governor
- Supports lower taxes and also tax subsidies for private K-12 schools.
- Opposes gun control.
- Would block right to abortion in most cases.
- Opposes action on climate change as “junk science” & calls the civil rights movement “crap.”
- Would “crack down on illegal immigration and make our country safer.”
- As Lt. Gov., fought “indoctrination” in schools.
Website: markrobinsonfornc.com
JOSH STEIN
DEMOCRAT
Current occupation: Attorney General
- Supports more funds for teachers, public schools and child care centers.
- Would invest in “a clean energy economy” to create jobs and address global warming.
- Supports access to abortion & contraceptives.
- Supports an independent redistricting commission to protect voting rights.
- As Attorney General, sued scammers and makers of addictive drugs.
Website: joshstein.org
OTHER CANDIDATES
Due to space limits, this guide does not profile other candidates for Governor with under 5%of support, based on nonpartisan polling at the time of publication. However, you can read about all the candidates at ncvoter.org/guide.
Candidates in each contest are listed in the order that they appear on your ballot.
Think Your 1 Vote Doesn’t Matter?
In 2020, a top state official won by less than 1 vote per city in N.C. What you do matters!
N.C. SUPREME COURT
The N.C. Supreme Court is not well known, but citizens elect its 7 Justices and its rulings affect everything: voting rights, fair prices, parental rights, racial bias, water quality, your privacy, and more. You can choose 1 Justice this year.
JEFFERSON GRIFFIN
REPUBLICAN
Current occupation: NC Court of Appeals Judge
- Former Wake Co. prosecutor and judge advocate general (JAG) officer in the Army National Guard.
- Says he is “an originalist and a textualist.” He “believes the words of the Constitution mean what they say,” and he values “the rule of law.”
- Says in his experience “the law is applied the same to all citizens.”
Endorsed by: More than three dozen sheriffs; N.C. Republican Party
Website: jeffersongriffin.com
ALLISON RIGGS
DEMOCRAT
Current occupation: NC Supreme Court Judge
- Former civil rights and voting rights attorney.
- Says courts should protect the “right to privacy [and] access to medical care.”
- Says she’s committed to “equal justice under the law” because she has seen the justice system hold people back rather than give them “access to equity and fairness.”
Endorsed by: Sierra Club; N.C. Young Democrats
Website: riggsforourcourts.com
Send Your Values to DC & Raleigh!
In addition to President, you can choose legislators to represent your concerns in Congress and the N.C. General Assembly. Vote for 1 candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 1 for N.C. Senate, and 1 for N.C. House based on your Districts. District lines are new this year; find yours at ncvoter.org/distr.
PRESIDENT
KAMALA HARRIS
DEMOCRAT
- Says: “Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency.”
- Supports affordable child care and health care, paid family leave, and the right to an abortion.
- Wants new gun control and voting rights laws.
- Would fight price gouging by corporations.
- Supported the bipartisan immigration reform bill opposed by Trump.
Website: kamalaharris.com
DONALD TRUMP
REPUBLICAN
- Says: “My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!”
- Plans to replace Obamacare with insurance markets.
- Will combat fraud with new limits on access to voting.
- Wants to “certify teachers who embrace patriotic values,” end teaching about racism, and let parents elect principals.
Website: donaldjtrump.com
OTHER CANDIDATES
Several other presidential candidates from other political parties are on the ballot; they are profiled at ncvoter.org/guide.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Parts of Congressional Districts 6 and 10 are in Forsyth County. The District boundary lines were redrawn to help one political party. The candidates are profiled at ncvoter.org/guide.
FORSYTH CO. MEMBERS OF THE N.C. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Voters in Forsyth County elect legislators to the General Assembly to adopt the state budget and laws affecting everything from abortion to tax fairness. See ncvoter.org/guide for your Senate and House Districts and more about your candidates.
SENATE DISTRICT 31
DANA CAUDILL JONES
REPUBLICAN
- Past WS/FC School Bd. member.
- Supports “a culture of life that protects and provides for unborn children, mothers, and families.”
- Supports gun owners’ rights and increased security for students and staff in schools.
Website: danacaudilljones.com
RONDA MAYS
DEMOCRAT
- Social worker at WS/FS school.
- Wants improved access to affordable housing, child care, and medical & mental health services.
- Says all students deserve access to quality teachers, books & tech resources.
SENATE DISTRICT 32
ZAC LENTZ
LIBERTARIAN
He did not have a website at time of publication.
PAUL LOWE
DEMOCRAT
- Current N.C. Senate member.
- Says will work with both parties to create more good paying jobs.
- Supports Medicaid expansion.
Web: paullowefornc.com
GEORGE K. WARE
REPUBLICAN
- Owns real estate firm.
- Will seek a $7,000 voucher for families to use “as payment toward Charter-Run or Teacher-Run Schools.”
- Supports 2-term limit for all elected officials.
Website: georgewareforncsenate.com
HOUSE DISTRICT 71
KANIKA BROWN
DEMOCRAT
This candidate is unopposed.
HOUSE DISTRICT 72
AMBER M. BAKER
DEMOCRAT
This candidate is unopposed.
HOUSE DISTRICT 74
AMY TAYLOR NORTH
DEMOCRAT
- Small business owner.
- Supports public schools, clean energy, and quality healthcare.
- Defends reproductive rights.
Website: northfornc.com
JEFFREY (JEFF) ZENGER
REPUBLICAN
- Current N.C. House member.
- Supports minimal regulation of businesses and firearms.
- For private schools subsidies.
Website: jeffzenger.com
HOUSE DISTRICT 75
DONNY C. LAMBETH
REPUBLICAN
- Current N.C. House member.
- Led reforms of Medicaid and mental health services.
- For less business regulation.
Website: dannylambeth.com
CAROLINE WARREN
DEMOCRAT
- Public school educator.
- Supports teacher pay increase and accountability for charter and private schools.
- Supports creating more affordable housing.
Web: facebook.com/p/Caroline-Warren-for-NC-House-75-61555537423512
HOUSE DISTRICT 91
VIVIAN FULK
DEMOCRAT
- Software mgmt. consultant.
- Says guided by: “Hear the cry of the Earth and of the Poor.”
- Will focus on women’s rights, public schools, voting rights, racial justice, and clean air and water.
Website: vivianfulknchouse91.com
KYLE HALL
REPUBLICAN
- N.C. House member.
- Supports cutting taxes and government spending.
- Will advocate for the unborn and “the right to keep and bear arms.”
Website: kylehallnc.com
Pick More State Officials
The Governor appoints leaders of some agencies (e.g., health and commerce), but voters elect 8 officials to lead other departments, plus the Lt. Governor. Here are the major-party candidates for those positions.
*A third party candidate for this office is profiled at ncvoter.org/guide
Lieutenant Governor*
The Lt. Governor presides over the N.C. Senate and sits on the N.C. Board of Education and other boards.
RACHEL HUNT
DEMOCRAT
- Supports investing in public school teachers rather than giving tax money to private academies.
- Emphasizes “standing with rural NC” for economic opportunity, broadband, and affordable housing.
- Supports access to abortion and healthcare.
- Promotes job training and housing for veterans.
Website: rachelhunt.com
HAL WEATHERMAN
REPUBLICAN
- Supports placing “armed school resource officers in each and every K-12 school.” Opposes gun control.
- Give companies tax breaks for apprenticeship jobs.
- For “Heartbeat” law to ban abortion after 6 weeks.
- Wants to integrate community college with universities to promote trades and practical skills.
Website: halweathermanfornc.com
ATTORNEY GENERAL
The AG leads the Dept. of Justice, which protects consumers, defends state agencies, and advises local law enforcement.
JEFF JACKSON
DEMOCRAT
- Supports criminal justice reform: stop racial bias in sentencing, reduce incarceration for non-violent offenses, and improve reentry programs. Also supports public access to police camera videos.
- Supports gun control: require universal back-ground checks and enact “red flag” protective laws.
- Supports expanding voting rights, independent redistricting, and ending secret money in politics.
Website: jeffjacksonnc.com
DAN BISHOP
REPUBLICAN
- Says: “Crime and lawlessness is out of control in our state and I believe restoring a culture of law and order is the most important job of the next AG.”
- Says he’s now “one of the toughest and most outspoken conservatives in Congress.”
- Supports stronger measures to stop voter fraud and “ballot-box stuffing.” Opposes independent redistricting commission to draw impartial political districts.
Website: votedanbishop.com
Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Superintendent heads the Dept. of Public Instruction, which implements Board of Education policies and state law.
MAURICE (MO) GREEN
DEMOCRAT
- Experience: Led Guilford County School System.
- Top goals: “Prepare each student for their next phase in life.” “Enhance parent and community support” and a “safe, secure learning environment.”
- Supports more funds for pre-K schools, rural youth apprenticeships, and an 8.5% raise for teachers.
- Opposes “taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for the very wealthy.”
Website: mogreenfornc.com
MICHELE MORROW
REPUBLICAN
- Experience: Homeschool teacher and nurse.
- Supports an “independent audit of the public school system” and will challenge “indoctrination centers.”
- Believes school funding must be “fueled by a fiscally conservative, free-market, competitive environment.”
- Opposes teaching students about race and racism.
- Opposes COVID mandates; says “teachers unions forced school closures.”
Website: morrow4nc.com
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State manages the registration of businesses, charities, and lobbyists and maintains N.C.’s official records.
ELAINE MARSHALL
DEMOCRAT
- Has served as N.C. Secretary of State since 1997.
- Says: “I’ve worked to cut red tape for entrepreneurs starting companies, prosecute criminals who masquerade as charities, and crack down on financial fraud.”
- Supports modernizing notary and other services.
Website: elainemarshall.com
CHAD BROWN
REPUBLICAN
- Serves on the Gaston Co. Board of Commission- ers; was previously Town of Stanley mayor.
- Would “promote innovation and small business growth” and “protect consumers from fraud and identity theft.”
Website: electchadbrown.com
TREASURER
The Treasurer oversees state investments, local government borrowing, and the state employee health & retirement plans.
WESLEY HARRIS
DEMOCRAT
- Plans to “protect our strong bond rating” and “expand our investment capacity” by moving more funds “sitting in cash” into higher-yield investments.
- Says: “The Treasurer’s office shouldn’t be a play-ground for partisan games.”
Website: harrisfornc.com
BRAD BRINER
REPUBLICAN
- Top priority: ”Remedy the chronic underperformance of the Retirement System” caused by “an irrational love of risk-free fixed income investments.”
- Would give a “fiduciary board of professionals,” not just the Treasurer, authority for investment decisions.
Website: bradbriner.com
AUDITOR*
The State Auditor reviews the financial management of agencies and programs that receive public funds.
JESSICA HOLMES
DEMOCRAT
- Current Auditor; former Wake Co. Commissioner.
- Says she is “committed to safeguarding taxpayer dollars as the NC Auditor, leveraging her expertise, integrity, and unwavering dedication to equitable policies for the betterment of N.C.”
Website: jessicafornc.com
DAVE BOLIEK
REPUBLICAN
- Former prosecutor and UNC-CH Trustees Board chair.
- Says: “Led fight at UNC to eliminate woke diversity” and has “expertise to root out government corruption.”
- Would expose waste in government, “scrub voter rolls,” and examine efficiencies at DMV and schools.
Website: auditordave.com
COMMISSIONER OF LABOR
The Commissioner leads the Labor Department, which inspects workplaces and enforces laws about worker health & safety.
LUKE FARLEY
REPUBLICAN
- Says: “Will fight for free enterprise, fair competition, and cutting government red tape.”
- Will protect workers who refuse orders to receive a COVID vaccine; opposes new heat stress regulations.
- Supports “accountability by keeping the commissioner’s picture on elevator certificates.”
Website: lukefarleync.com
BRAXTON WINSTON II
DEMOCRAT
- Says: “CNBC ranked NC as #1 state to do business [but] Oxfam ranked NC as worst state to be a worker. This is unacceptable. Our workers deserve better.”
- Will ensure workers “work in a safe environment.”
- Will be a “whole worker” advocate for fair pay, job rights, training, and affordable health care & housing.
Website: votebraxton.com
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE*
The Commissioner leads the Dept. of Agriculture, which has the double role of promoting farm products and food safety.
SARAH TABER
DEMOCRAT
- Current farm and food systems manager.
- Says Ag Dept. should promote high-value crops, like berries, fruits, hemp, etc.; canneries; farms in Appalachia; processing facilities for nuts.
- Supports innovating financing for farmers, co-ops, and profit-sharing models to boost rural jobs.
Website: taberfornc.com
STEVE TROXLER
REPUBLICAN
- Served as Commissioner of Agriculture since 2005.
- Has focused on “developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving working farms and protecting the state’s food supply.”
- Promotes meat production and the “Got To Be NC” ag marketing programs, which he says are successful.
Website: stevetroxler.com
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
The Commissioner regulates insurance rates & practices, licenses building inspectors, and trains firefighters & rescue squads.
NATASHA MARCUS
DEMOCRAT
- Current state Senator and attorney.
- Says: “My mission has always been to stand up against corruption, corporate greed, and bad government.”
- Would “force insurance companies to justify their rates at public hearings,” which doesn’t happen now.
Website: natashamarcus.com
MIKE CAUSEY
REPUBLICAN
- Served as Insurance Commissioner since 2017.
- Would abolish Rate Bureau role in setting insurance rates because it “kills free enterprise.”
- Has added fraud inspectors, added consumer services, and cleared backlog of fire dept. inspections.
Website: mikecauseync.com
Local Elections
Many local elections in Forsyth County were settled in the March primary, including most of those for Winston-Salem’s City Council. Here are some contested local elections on your November ballot, depending on where you live.
WINSTON-SALEM CITY COUNCIL
Northwest Ward: Regina Ford Hall (Democrat) vs. James (Jimmy) Hodson (Republican)
West Ward: Robert C. Clark (Republican) vs. Christopher Smith (Democrat)
FORSYTH CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DISTRICT B ONLY – Vote for up to 3 candidates
Democrats Valerie Brockenbrough, Curtis Fentress and Marsie West; and Republicans Richard V. Linville, Gloria D. Whisenhunt and Gray Wilson
Use an Early Voting Location, Oct. 17-Nov. 2
Forsyth Co. voters can vote at any of the locations listed below during Early Voting. You can use Same-Day Registration to register and vote during Early Voting (but not on Election Day); see the last section of ncvoter.org/register. All 18 sites are open: Weekdays (Monday-Friday), Oct. 17 to Nov. 1, 8 am-7:30 pm; Saturdays, Oct. 19 & Oct. 26, 9 am-5 pm; Sundays, Oct. 20 & Oct. 27, 1-5 pm; and Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 am-3 pm.
- United Metro. Missionary Bapt. Church, 450 Metropolitan Dr., Winston-Salem
- Clemmons Branch Library, 6365 James St., Clemmons
- Brown & Douglas Community Center, 4725 Indiana Ave., Winston-Salem
- Lewisville Branch Library, 6490 Shallowford Rd., Lewisville
- WSSU – Anderson Center, 1545 Reynolds Park Rd., Winston-Salem
- Southside Branch Library, 3185 Buchanan St., Winston-Salem
- Sprague Street Recreation Center, 1350 E. Sprague St., Winston-Salem
- Kernersville Fire Station #42, 1180 NC Hwy. 66, Kernersville
- Old Town Recreation Center, 4550 Shattalon Dr., Winston-Salem
- Rural Hall Branch Library, 7125 Broad St., Rural Hall
- Sedge Garden Recreation Center, 401 Robbins Rd., Winston-Salem
- Mazie Woodruff Center, 4905 Lansing Dr., Winston-Salem
- First Tee at Winston Lake Golf Course, 3535 Winston Lake Rd., Winston-Salem
- Polo Park Community Center, 1850 Polo Rd., Winston-Salem
- Little Creek Neighborhood Center, 610 Foxcroft Dr., Winston-Salem
- Walkertown Branch Library, 2969 Main St., Walkertown
- Paddison Memorial Branch Library, 248 Harmon Lane, Kernersville
- Miller Park Recreation Center, 400 Leisure Ln., Winston-Salem
Questions? Call the Hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE or visit NCVoter.org or call the Forsyth Co. Board of Elections at 336-703-2800. This guide is produced by Democracy NC and Common Cause NC, which are not affiliated with any party or candidate.
3 WAYS TO VOTE
- EARLY VOTING: Oct. 17 to Nov. 2 This is the most popular way to vote; it offers flexible days and places for voting. You can register and vote at the same time at Early Voting sites. Find them listed on the last page of this guide.
- ELECTION DAY: Nov. 5, 6:30 am – 7:30 pm Vote at your precinct’s designated polling place. Find your polling place and review your personal ballot at ncvoter.org/lookup.
- VOTE BY MAIL: This is more complicated than in 2020. You will need two witnesses or a notary when you vote, plus mail a copy of your ID or other paperwork. Follow the directions very carefully. Act early and allow for slow mail. See ncvoter.org/absentee.
4 TIPS FOR VOTING
- Bring an acceptable photo ID like a N.C. driver’s license; it’s okay if the address is out of date. Many student IDs are good. If you don’t have an acceptable ID, you can still vote; ask the poll worker for an ID EXCEPTION FORM.
- Take a list of your candidate choices on paper or on your phone to help you remember. Don’t take photos in the poll; that’s prohibited.
- If you have a disability, you can get help to vote from anyone you choose, except your employer or union agent; or vote curbside in a car.
- People with a felony conviction can register and vote after serving their full sentence, including probation. See ncvoter.org/felony.
Change the N.C. Constitution?
The N.C. Constitution now specifies that a person “born in the U.S. or naturalized” is entitled to vote. At the end of your ballot is this question: Do you want to change the wording to say “only a citizen of the U.S.” is entitled to vote? YES or NO
