2026 primary voter guide: Research NC and Charlotte-area candidates on ballots
Voters across North Carolina will pick primary election winners from U.S. Senate to local races on March 3.
That will involve choices like whether Republican Michael Whatley is the best candidate to take on Democrat Roy Cooper in November — or whether the GOP’s Michele Morrow or Don Brown have a better chance. Primaries will be particularly key in congressional and legislative races where districts are drawn to favor one party in the general election. In Mecklenburg County, the sheriff’s race could produce an upset, with embattled Democratic incumbent Garry McFadden facing a slate of challengers.
Unaffiliated voters can choose which primary they want to participate in, but can not cast ballots in more than one primary. Voters registered to a particular part can only participate in that party’s primary.
2026 NC voter guide
Click on the links below to view stories from our 2026 primary election voter guide:
- Voting is starting in NC’s 2026 primary election. Here’s what voters need to know
- Republicans fight to keep NC’s Senate seat. Can any of them beat Cooper?
- In Mecklenburg sheriff’s race, will controversy catch up with Garry McFadden?
- Why embattled Rep. Cunningham’s campaign says party backlash won’t work in primary
- Monifa Drayton can’t ‘wait for space’ in bid to oust Mecklenburg’s Vilma Leake
- ‘Not going to stop.’ Vilma Leake faces toughest challenge yet in bid for 10th term
- Why North Mecklenburg could be epicenter of most competitive county commission race
- Why Rep. Tim Moore faces progressive party-switcher in Charlotte’s GOP primaries
Candidates answer our questions
The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer also asked candidates in competitive races, including all legislative and congressional races, to complete a questionnaire to inform voters on their positions. Below, you’ll find links to candidate questionnaires for all who responded. Click on “read more” under each candidate to view their full answers.
The graphic below defaults to show all elections we have questionnaires for, but can be narrowed to show just one race. Candidates who haven’t yet responded will be added as they return questionnaires.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 5:00 AM.