Early voting for next month’s runoff elections, including one congressional race and two statewide primaries, began across North Carolina on Thursday.
Voters are choosing Republican candidates for lieutenant governor, state auditor and 13th Congressional District seats this fall. These May 14th runoff elections, also known as the “second primaries,” mean that the candidate who receives the most votes in the March 5th primary for these elections receives 30% or more of the votes. This occurred because it could not be acquired. The second-place candidate had to formally request a runoff.
North Carolina lawmakers reconvene to discuss budget, pledges ahead of key election
The Republican runoff for lieutenant governor will be between Hal Weatherman and Jim O’Neill, and the state auditor nomination will be between Jack Clark and Dave Boreek. Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott are seeking the nomination in District 13. The winner will face a Democratic rival and possibly a Libertarian Party candidate in the fall.
North Carolina State Capitol photographed in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images)
These Republican primary runoff ballots will be open to all registered Republicans in the state, or in the case of Congressional races, within the 13th District. Independent voters who did not vote in the March primary or voted Republican can also participate, the State Board of Elections said in a news release.
Early voting continues through May 11 in all 100 counties. Most counties typically have only one early voting location for runoff elections.
A Republican primary runoff election for the Gaston County Commissioner’s seat is also underway. And there is also a race for a seat on the Orange County School Board, which is nonpartisan and has different runoff rules.
New voter registration is not allowed between the first and second primary elections, so same-day registration is not possible during early voting. However, those who became eligible to vote during the two primary election periods will be able to both register and vote on May 14, according to the state commission.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Absentee voting by mail for traditional runoff elections began in late March, when county commissions began sending ballots to applicants.
