Why Did North Carolina Move its Primary to March?

Up to now, Iowa has enjoyed being first in the spotlight for expressing the earliest presidential preference through its quirky and very democratic caucus process. North Carolina leaders knew that, after Texas and California, our state has the next largest number of delegates, so to give North Carolina voters a larger voice in determining the final party choices for President, they moved our late May primary to March last year. Now North Carolina will join 13 other states voting on “Super Tuesday”,  March 3rd (or during early voting). As a result, North Carolina voters will have a voice in determining the final party choices for President of the United States by voting a party ballot in a few weeks.

Disadvantages to the change of date are reported on in this NPR story. Since challengers and incumbents must file in December, the campaign season is shorter. The earlier primary date, therefore, favors incumbents who have had at time in office to become well-known, while challengers have only two short months to introduce themselves and their platform to voters. The brief campaign time places greater responsibility on the voter to become informed!

It’s a long ballot this year and in addition to President and many state offices, the voter also gets to decide local government officials in our County government. If you live in the Chapel Hill School District you are in District 1, otherwise you are in District 2. Everyone votes for the “at large” candidate. An electoral district map is here. Info on tax rates by location here.

See you at the polls on March 3rd or during early voting!