While Jennifer Balkcom and Jamie Ager both come from Western NC farming families, the issues on which they are running are quite different.

Gov. Josh Stein is criticizing what he says is an unusually high number of mail-in ballot rejections, urging voters to instead cast their votes in person "if possible." He blamed the State Board of Elections' recent changes to absentee ballot processing guidelines that require officials to reject ballots in some cases, rather than offer voters an easier process to "cure" mistakes.

Elon University's final poll before the midterm finds former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley by 13 percentage points. Poll officials say the lead is driven by moderates, independents, Blacks, Hispanics and women.

A year ago, Republican state lawmakers redrew North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District to make it more conservative. But as Election Day draws near, incumbent Congressman Don Davis appears to have an increasingly strong shot at keeping his seat.

In 2024, Republican Stacie McGinn lost to Democrat Woodson Bradley by a mere 209 votes for a seat in the North Carolina Senate. This year, the two women are set for a rematch expected to be a close call yet again.

Early voting across North Carolina started Thursday, Oct. 15. In Mecklenburg County, the day saw considerable civic momentum — especially from Democratic voters.

Republican candidate Michael Whatley and Republican-aligned PACs have largely focused on former Gov. Roy Cooper's record on criminal justice issues.

After switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in 2023, Tricia Cotham narrowly won reelection in 2024.

U.S. Senators represent all citizens of North Carolina at the federal level for six-year terms. They vote on federal legislation, confirm presidential appointments, ratify treaties and secure federal funding for state priorities. North Carolina's 11 million residents would be represented by this senator. The U.S. Senate currently has 53 Republicans and 45 Democrats, as well as two independents who caucus with Democrats.

Democratic congresswoman Alma Adams scolded her opponent, Republican Jack Codiga, at a candidate forum on Thursday evening, calling him “disrespectful” after he presented a photo of her and other representatives in Israel and asked for her autograph.