Charlotte election recap: Budd wins. Local incumbents safe — except on school board
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Mecklenburg Voter Guide 2022
Before you cast your vote, use this guide to research what’s on the ballot.
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Election Day results reported by late Tuesday mostly showed definitive victors.
11:30 p.m. Ted Budd victory
Separated by more than 100,000 votes tallied late Tuesday, Budd was projected by various networks to be the state’s next senator.
The Associated Press called the race for Budd just before midnight. Budd spoke to a crowd gathered at the Marriott in Winston-Salem, reflecting his messaging throughout the campaign: that he’d stop Biden’s “reckless” spending, support parents wanting more say in their kids’ education and reduce crime.
The Republican gained ground on Democrat Cheri Beasley through the night.
Ahead of Budd’s victory speech, N.C. GOP Chair Michael Whatley roused the crowd saying the election brought a “red wave” across North Carolina.
Budd, according to results not yet certified by the elections board, had more than 50% of the vote.
Beasley’s best performance was in Mecklenburg County, where she garnered 65% of the vote.
In his speech, Budd thanked former President Donald Trump and his family. He also recognized Beasley.
“We spoke on the phone and I want to thank her for her service to our state and for running a spirited campaign,” Budd said. Shortly after, Beasley delivered a concession speech at her own event.
— Will Wright, Anna Douglas
11:15 p.m. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board shakeup
With most votes counted, two incumbents conceded.
Rhonda Cheek in District 1 said she was disappointed in Tuesday night’s outcome where challenger Melissa Easley had captured 30.14% of the vote.
District 6 challenger Summer Nunn said incumbent Sean Strain called to congratulate her. Tallies showed Thelma Byers-Bailey in District 2 as the only incumbent leading. Carol Sawyer in District 4 also trailed her challengers, with Stephanie Sneed ahead with 43.68% of the vote.
— Anna Maria Della Costa
11 p.m. North Carolina supermajority?
Notably, two local state legislative elections ran close: House District 73 in western Cabarrus County and District 98 which includes Cornelius, Davidson and much of western Huntersville.
Some key races were in districts with tight splits between Democratic and Republican voters. The races play a vital role in determining whether Republicans gain a supermajority — enough seats to overturn Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto.
Republicans need to gain three seats in the House and two in the Senate to take supermajorities. As of 10:45 p.m. on Election Night, Republicans appear to have reached that goal in the Senate, based on unofficial results in two swing districts.
— Gordon Rago, Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan and Tyler Dukes
10:30 p.m. Results tighten
In Mecklenburg County, a majority of results from precincts, along with votes from early voting, were reported by board of election officials. More than 2 million North Carolina voters cast their ballots during the early voting period.
The race had tightened between Democrat Cheri Beasley and Republican Ted Budd to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. The winner is expected to help decide which party will control the U.S. Senate, and polls show a tight race.
Earlier in the night, pundits called less-competitive local U.S. House seat races and Democrat Jeff Jackson declared victory for the open seat in the 14th District.
10 p.m. Jeff Jackson victory speech
Just before 10 p.m., the Democrat took the stage in Charlotte and declared victory over Pat Harrigan.
National Democrats celebrated Jackson. In a statement from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, chair Sean Patrick Maloney wrote: “At every turn in life, Jeff Jackson has put his community first and dedicated his life to public service — as a veteran, a former assistant district attorney general, state legislator, and current member of the Army National Guard. Now he’ll be a champion for North Carolina families as their representative in Congress.”
— DJ Simmons
9:45 p.m. At-large Mecklenburg commissioners race
Democrats Pat Cotham, Leigh Altman and Arthur Griffin Jr. took an early but commanding lead in the Mecklenburg County commissioners at-large race Tuesday night with about a third of precincts reporting. — Genna Contino
North Carolina Election Results 2022: Local races
Was your ballot counted in NC?
As North Carolina election results are tallied, you may be wondering if your vote has been recorded. Go here for more details on the ballot-counting process.
To see if your ballot has been counted, you can enter your name into the N.C. State Board of Elections Voter Search database to view your voter history.
If you voted during the early voting period or by mail, your voting record will be displayed on the “Your Absentee Ballot” section of the database, according to a news release from the NCSBE.
9:20 p.m. Budd vs. Beasley tightens
Historically, the first ballots reported on election night are from methods are used more often by Democratic voters — in-person early voting and mail-in absentee ballots. Republican voters historically have voted more frequently on Election Day.
When the election night count began reporting day-of votes from all 100 counties, Budd gained ground. He was leading with 49.26% of the vote. Beasley had 48.78% of votes reported. — Danielle Battaglia, Will Wright, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi
8:45 p.m. Senate race reflects ‘culture war’
As results rolled in, Budd’s supporters crowded the hallways and a conference room at the Marriott in Winston-Salem.
Former state Sen. Fred Smith said though the economy has emerged as a major issue in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, he sees it as something more.
“We have a culture war in this election,” said Smith, who ran for governor in 2008 but lost in the Republican primary to Pat McCrory.
“Economies come and go,” he added. — Will Wright
8:30 update: The latest from Beasley’s watch party
When Democrat Cheri Beasley held an early lead in the U.S. Senate race, state Democratic Chairman Bobbie Richardson spoke at her watch party in Raleigh calling on North Carolinians to make history.
With just under 10% of the precincts counted, Beasley led Republican Ted Buss, 52.45% to 45.78%, a margin that Bud has been cutting into for much of the night.
“You know all the issues, you what is at stake,” Richardson told the crowd of Beasley supporters. “Now NC, let’s make history tonight.” — Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi
8 p.m. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board
Most incumbents were behind in their Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education races after the State Board of Elections posted early in-person and mail-in absentee votes Tuesday.
Most precincts were still unreported locally. — Anna Maria Della Costa
7:45 p.m.: Democrats Beasley, Jackson take early leads in Senate, House races
Democrat Cheri Beasley flashed to an early lead over Republican challenger Ted Budd in the race to become North Carolina’s next U.S. senator. With 1.1 million votes counted, Beasley led Budd 55.29% to 43%. Beasley’s lead has shrunk since the last update.
In a congressional race to fill the District 14 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Jeff Jackson of Charlotte led Pat Harrigan, 61.55% to 38.45%. Harrigan also has gained ground.
In another House race with local ties, incumbent Democrat Alma Adams of Charlotte led Republican challenger Tyler Lee, 67.29% to 32.71%.
7:30 p.m.: Polls close.
Part one of a long day of democracy has ended. Polls closed in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and across North Carolina moments ago.
That sets the stage for the count of millions of votes across the state that could stretch well into the night. Expect the early-voting returns to be reported first. More than 2 million ballots were filed before polls opened Tuesday at 6:30 a.m.
6 p.m.: Meck polls close at 7:30 p.m.
Election Day is down to its last 90 minutes in Charlotte and the rest of North Carolina.
Voting at Mecklenburg County’s 195 precincts ends at 7:30 p.m. The clock stops with the normal proviso: Those already in line will be allowed to vote.
— Michael Gordon
1 p.m.: Mecklenburg County Board of Elections reports smooth morning
Voting is running smoothly across the Charlotte area as Election Day continues, the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections reports.
Precincts have not reported issues or irregularities throughout the morning and early afternoon, per the board.
11:30 a.m.: Curbside voting popular at West Charlotte Recreation Center
Democracy NC volunteer Antwaun Cook voted early in this year’s midterm election, but he still turned out Tuesday to help other voters cast their ballots.
Cook served as a “vote protector” at the West Charlotte Recreation Center polling place, providing “non-partisan” assistance to voters who may have questions about voting or run into an issue trying to vote.
“We’re here to help everyone who needs to come out to have their vote cast. … My biggest thing is coming out to provide support however I can,” he said.
Cook noted he’d seen some folks using the polling location’s curbside voting service, which allows voters unable to come inside due to their age, physical or mental health or COVID-19 to vote from the comfort of their vehicle.
10 a.m.: Local issues, economy top of mind at Garinger High precinct
Amid a steady stream of voters at Garinger High in east Charlotte, voter Andrea Watson said local issues like affordable housing, roads and bond issues were on her mind as she cast her ballot.
She was pleased with her voting experience, she added, noting she was able to get in and out without waiting in line.
Poll workers said they’d seen more than 100 voters cast their ballots at the precinct by 10 a.m. During the previous municipal election this summer, they said, they only had about 150 voters all day.
Voters Vivian W. Smith and Patricia Brudnicki said as senior citizens on Social Security, inflation was a key issue for them this year.
“We’re not happy with (inflation),” Smith said. “We’re not always happy with how (politicians) spend our money.”
Republican Senate candidate Ted Budd and Democratic state Rep. Becky Carney were two candidates Smith said she was excited to support this year, she added.
9 a.m.: High turnout in Dilworth, interest in U.S. Senate race throughout Charlotte
At Covenant Presbyterian Church in Dilworth, poll workers greeting friends and neighbors said they’d seen about 300 voters as of 9 a.m., a higher than average turnout at the polling place for a midterm election.
Lee and Jerry Moran have been voting at the church for years and said their experience was “easy,” despite the crowds.
Both are closely watching North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race.
“We’re looking for candidates that will actually work with each other,” they said.
Also a Covenant voter, Elise Deal said she was excited to cast her vote for Democratic Senate candidate Cheri Beasley and Democratic congressional candidate Jeff Jackson.
“I think the judicial races are important too,” she said.
At Highland Renaissance School in North End, voter Beverley Azan said funding for low-income housing and schools is top of mind for her this election. She’s been intrigued, she added, by Beasley’s campaign message.
“I’m hoping that what she’s said she’s gonna do, she’ll do if elected,” she said.
Election officials, anticipating a higher than normal turnout, sent more voting machines than usual to Precinct 91, forcing precinct workers to move voting to the gym at Providence Presbyterian Church rather than the smaller building next door. Some 270 voters had cast their ballots by 9 a.m.
— Mary Ramsey, Taylor Batten
How to vote on Election Day
Polls across the Charlotte area open at 6:30 a.m. and will be open until 7:30 p.m.
You can check your voter registration at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. There is no same-day voter registration on Election Day in North Carolina.
To find your polling place, visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website at mecknc.gov/BOE. From there, go to the “Polling Locations” tab, and you’ll be able to input your name or address to get all the information on your precinct. You’ll also be able to see your sample ballot.
You don’t have to show a photo ID to vote in North Carolina.
People with election questions in Mecklenburg County can call the Board of Elections at 704-336-2133.
What’s on the ballot in Mecklenburg County?
The following races are on Mecklenburg County ballots in the 2022 general election (Note: Some races vary depending on your district. Some candidates are unopposed):
14th and 12 districts in the U.S. House of Representatives
North Carolina State Senate
North Carolina District Court
Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education
Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor
Charlotte Transportation, Housing and “Neighborhood Improvement” bonds
Matthews Transportation and Parks and Recreation bonds
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
