County guides
- Wake CountyRaleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Morrisville, Knightdale
- Mecklenburg CountyCharlotte, Huntersville, Matthews, Cornelius, Mint Hill, Davidson, Pineville
- Durham CountyDurham, Bahama, Rougemont, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh
Not listed? Ask us to cover your county, and use the races below in the meantime.
Who is running statewide in North Carolina in 2026
- U.S. Senator
- Roy Cooper, Michael Whatley, Shannon W. Bray and Michael Dublin
- N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice, Seat 1
- Anita Earls and Sarah Stevens
- N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 1
- John S. Arrowood and Michael C. Byrne
- N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 2
- Tobias (Toby) Hampson and George Cooper Bell
- N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 3
- Christine Marie Walczyk and Craig Collins
Statewide races
U.S. Senator
Vote for oneRoy Cooper
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratAs governor he signed the bipartisan bill that expanded Medicaid and vetoed the 12-week abortion ban. Endorsed by the largest federal employees' union, the Sierra Club and the veterans' group Common Defense.
Sources: Ballotpedia, AFGE, Common Defense
Michael Whatley
Not good people RepublicanTrump put him in charge of the RNC to focus on election litigation and the 2020 election, then endorsed him for this seat. He says he backs Trump's agenda, including deporting unauthorized immigrants, "100%."
Sources: The Guardian, Wikipedia, Campaign site
Shannon W. Bray
Not enough info LibertarianRunning on digital privacy and strict limits on federal surveillance, saying "rights don't disappear as technology advances." No record in office to judge.
Sources: Campaign site
Michael Dublin
Not enough info GreenCo-chairs the state Green Party's Black Caucus and takes no corporate PAC money. Wants a $25 federal minimum wage and a Green New Deal for North Carolina; no record in office to judge.
Sources: Election Hub, Ballotpedia
N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice, Seat 1
Vote for oneAnita Earls
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratWrote the 2022 opinion striking down the voter ID law as racially discriminatory, then dissented when the new majority reversed it in 2023. A state ethics inquiry over her comments on bias in the courts was dismissed in 2024.
Sources: Bolts, Carolina Public Press, Ballotpedia
Sarah Stevens
Compromised RepublicanSays judges shouldn't "create laws from the bench," and voted to override the veto of the 12-week abortion ban. Her campaign took two illegal lobbyist contributions; the elections board called it unintentional after she returned them.
Sources: WFAE, Campaign site
N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 1
Vote for oneJohn S. Arrowood
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratHas written more than 650 opinions, including a September 2026 dissent against letting the state auditor appoint local election board members. Endorsed by the state AFL-CIO and Equality NC.
Sources: Victory Fund, News From the States, WFAE
Michael C. Byrne
Compromised RepublicanCalls himself a conservative who reads the state constitution as written. Endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and the NC Values Coalition.
Sources: WFAE
N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 2
Vote for oneTobias (Toby) Hampson
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratIn the fight over the 2024 Supreme Court election he dissented against throwing out challenged ballots. Endorsed by the state AFL-CIO and the Sierra Club.
Sources: INDY Week, NC AFL-CIO, Ballotpedia
George Cooper Bell
Not good people RepublicanThe State Bar reprimanded him in 2019 for making a false statement to a court about a client's probation. Names Clarence Thomas as the justice closest to his own views.
Sources: Tennessee Bar Association, WFAE, iVoterGuide
N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 3
Vote for oneOpen seat.
Christine Marie Walczyk
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratSays she is running because she is "increasingly concerned about the public's loss of confidence in the court system." Endorsed by the teachers' association and former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley.
Sources: Campaign site, NCAE
Craig Collins
Compromised RepublicanCampaigns on "Conservative judges matter now more than ever." Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the NC Values Coalition.
Sources: WFAE, Ballotpedia
Constitutional amendments
For or againstWe describe what each amendment does and don't make recommendations.
- Photo ID for voting: The constitution already requires photo ID to vote in person. A vote for extends that to every voter, including people voting absentee by mail. A vote against leaves it as it is.
- Maximum income tax rate of 3.5%: Lowers the highest income tax rate the state can ever charge, on people and corporations, from 7% to 3.5%, starting with the 2027 tax year. Supporters say it keeps taxes low and draws business; opponents, including the League of Women Voters, say it would limit money for schools and disaster relief in hard times.
- Property tax levy limit: Requires limits on how much counties and cities can raise property taxes. The amendment leaves the actual limit and any exceptions for the legislature to set later. Supporters say it stops runaway tax bills; opponents say it takes away local control and could squeeze money for schools, emergency services and parks.