North Carolina ballot

After a four-day evidentiary hearing in February 2019, the North Carolina State Board of Elections voted unanimously on Feb 21, 2019 to call a new election in the 9th Congressional District; its written order is dated Mar 13, 2019. The order concludes that the Nov 2018 election, in which Republican Mark Harris led by 905 votes, "was corrupted by fraud, improprieties, and irregularities" and describes an absentee-ballot operation run by McCrae Dowless Jr. and others and funded principally by the Mark Harris for Congress Committee; it also finds that Harris personally hired Dowless in April 2017. The order does not find that Harris himself committed ballot fraud. Harris testified that he had no knowledge of illegal practices by those working for his campaign, but on Feb 21, 2019 he said public confidence in the result had been undermined and asked for a new election; he did not run in it. On Jul 15, 2020, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman announced her office had found no evidence that would support a criminal case against Harris and was closing the matter as to him; charges against Dowless and others were then pending. Harris said he was grateful to "finally restore my reputation". Harris was elected to the U.S. House from the 8th District in 2024.

North Carolina voters will decide a proposed amendment to the state constitution, listed on the ballot as "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT - MAXIMUM INCOME TAX RATE OF 3.5%". The General Assembly placed it on the ballot in Session Law 2026-4 (Senate Bill 1080 (2025-2026 session)), which passed by the three-fifths vote of each chamber required for a constitutional amendment (Senate 30-18 (May 19, 2026); House 73-46 (May 20, 2026); ratified May 21, 2026). A vote FOR adopts the amendment and a vote AGAINST rejects it; it takes effect only if a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor.

A yes vote: Per the session law and the legislature's nonpartisan staff analysis, Article V of the state constitution would be changed to lower the maximum allowable tax rate on incomes from 7% to 3.5%, applying to both personal and corporate income for taxable years beginning on or after Jan 1, 2027. The staff analysis notes the cap would not reduce the current corporate rate (2%) and, if a scheduled personal rate reduction is triggered for 2027, would not reduce the personal rate either.

A no vote: The constitution stays as it is: the rate of tax on incomes may not exceed 7%. Per the staff analysis, the current personal income tax rate is 3.99% and the corporate rate is 2%, with further reductions scheduled or authorized in state law.

North Carolina voters will decide a proposed amendment to the state constitution, listed on the ballot as "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT - PROPERTY TAX LEVY LIMIT". The General Assembly placed it on the ballot in Session Law 2026-5 (House Bill 1089 (2025-2026 session)), which passed by the three-fifths vote of each chamber required for a constitutional amendment (Senate 31-15 (May 20, 2026); ratified May 21, 2026). A vote FOR adopts the amendment and a vote AGAINST rejects it; it takes effect only if a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor.

A yes vote: Per the session law and the legislature's nonpartisan staff analysis, Article V, Section 2(5) of the state constitution would be changed to require the General Assembly to enact general laws limiting the amount by which the levy of taxes on property by counties, cities and other local governments may increase; those laws may include exceptions. The change takes effect when the results are certified.

A no vote: The constitution stays as it is: it lets the General Assembly authorize local property taxes for purposes set by uniform general law (or approved by local voters) and contains no requirement to limit levy increases. Per the staff analysis, state statute currently caps most local property tax rates at $1.50 per $100 of value.

North Carolina voters will decide a proposed amendment to the state constitution, listed on the ballot as "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT - REQUIRE PHOTO ID FOR VOTING". The General Assembly placed it on the ballot in Session Law 2024-58 (Senate Bill 921 (2023-2024 session)), which passed by the three-fifths vote of each chamber required for a constitutional amendment (Senate 30-19 (Dec 2, 2024); House 73-45 (Dec 11, 2024); ratified Dec 13, 2024). A vote FOR adopts the amendment and a vote AGAINST rejects it; it takes effect only if a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor.

A yes vote: Per the session law and the legislature's nonpartisan staff analysis, Article VI of the state constitution would be changed so that all voters, regardless of voting method, must present photographic identification before voting (the current text applies only to voters offering to vote in person). The General Assembly would continue to set the ID requirements by general law, which may include exceptions. The change takes effect when the results are certified.

A no vote: The constitution stays as it is: it requires photo ID only of voters offering to vote in person. Per the legislative staff analysis, state statute (G.S. 163-230.1) separately requires absentee voters to submit a copy of their photo ID or an exception affidavit.

Gastonia's next city election is Nov 2, 2027, when voters will choose a mayor and fill the City Council seats for Ward 3 and Ward 6, each for a four-year term, in a nonpartisan election. Mayor Richard Franks, Ward 3 council member Jim Gallagher and Ward 6 council member Donyel Barber hold the seats that are up. The county's directory lists the Ward 1, 2, 4 and 5 seats as next up in 2029; Ward 4's Angela Dreher was elected in 2025 to fill an unexpired term. Candidates have not filed yet. Gastonia Mayor: Richard Franks (incumbent). Gastonia City Council Ward 3: Jim Gallagher (incumbent). Gastonia City Council Ward 6: Donyel Barber (incumbent).