What are congressional, state and local elections and how do they work in North Carolina?
The primary for midterm elections is swiftly approaching and soon enough it will be time for North Carolinians to vote new local officials into office. However, before you cast your vote, it’s important to understand who you’re voting for and what you’re voting for in the first place. Here’s how congressional, state and local elections work in North Carolina and beyond.
Congressional elections
Congressional elections occur every two years. Voters will have the opportunity to choose a representative in Congress for the next two years. For Mecklenburg County, the primary for congressional elections will take place on May 17, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 8.
The House of Representatives
After a congressional election is complete, those who have won a position in the U.S. House of Representatives will have the chance to serve for two years. There are 435 elected officials that make up the House and each one is elected to represent a specific congressional district. Since this race is held every two years and the current term for representatives is two years, House representatives are completely reconstructed with new or re-elected representatives every two years.
The Senate
Unlike the U.S. House of Representatives, officials who make up the Senate serve six-year terms. Because midterms occur every two years and the term for Senators is six years, one-third of senators get elected during each midterm and each presidential election year. There are 100 U.S. senators, two representing each state.
The Electoral College
Though not applied to local and state elections in North Carolina, the Electoral College is the process by which the United States elects the president and vice president. These offices are elected by electors, who are selected by political parties.
The number of electors in any state is equal to the number of U.S. senators and representatives that the state has in Congress. North Carolina has two senators and 13 representatives, for a total of 15 electors, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the president.
In North Carolina, political parties file the names of their candidates for electors for their nominees for president and vice-president with the North Carolina Secretary of State. If unaffiliated candidates qualify, they also must file with the Secretary of State the names of their candidates for electors for their nominees for president and vice-president.
State and local elections
Elections that are specific to North Carolina and the municipalities within the state are known as state or local elections. These kinds of elections can take place during any year at any point in the year. Statewide elections can include races to elect new state governors or officials of the state legislature. Local elections consist of mayoral races and elections for judges and other local officials, such as city council members, sheriffs, and county commissioners.
Residents of Mecklenburg County will cast their ballots for a host of new (or re-elected) state and local officials, including for mayor of Charlotte.
