February 17, 2020

Early voting in North Carolina for the March 3rd primaries began February 13th and runs through February 29th. In addition to the presidential election, North Carolina will elect a U.S. Senator, all 13 U.S. House seats, all 10 Council of State seats, all 170 N.C. General Assembly seats, along with various county elections.

Early Voting Opens

If you are registered as a member of a specific political party, you may only vote in that party’s primary. However, if you are unaffiliated you may choose to vote in either the Democratic, Republican, or Libertarian primaries. Voters will not be required to show a photo ID for the primary election due to a federal district court’s decision in December to block North Carolina’s voter ID requirement from taking effect.

During early voting, registered voters can vote at any voting site open during the period. Early voting sites are open from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on weekdays, with varying weekend hours. If you are a Durham County resident, you may register and vote on the same day in the Broadhead Center on Duke University’s campus. Find more information on voter registration in Durham County here. With the 2020 election season beginning this week, the Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations released an updated memo clarifying the university’s policies on political activity and engagement with policy makers.

Durham County Candidates

Durham County will see at least two new state legislators in 2020, with Representative MaryAnn Black retiring and Senator Floyd McKissick resigning to accept an appointment on the N.C. Utilities Commission. Vernetta Alston, a Durham City Council member, is running unopposed for Rep. Black’s seat in District 29. Longtime state legislator, Mickey Michaux, was appointed to temporarily fill Sen. McKissick’s seat in District 20.

Three candidates are running in the primary race for District 20, including Natalie Murdock, Pierce Freelon, and Gray Ellis. Natalie Murdock is currently in her first term as a Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, owns a small business, and previously was a staffer to former state legislator, Deborah Ross. Pierce Freelon is a musician, producer, activist, and professor. Freelon previously ran for Mayor of Durham in 2017. Gray Ellis is a family law attorney, and is also the first openly transgender man to run for the N.C. General Assembly.