By the numbers
Registration statistics in N.C.

Republicans 1,996,798
Democrats 2,756,504
Libertarian 23,559
Unaffiliated 1,742,636

Ninety-three candidates in 35 contested races on the ballots in the Triangle. In the May 2014 primary, voters will winnow the field to the candidates who will face off in November.

Over the next 13 pages, the INDY issues its endorsements in local, state and federal races, based on how the candidates best align with the paper’s mission of creating a socially just community.

Here is how we determine our endorsements: First, we try to contact every candidate in order to send him or her a questionnaire via email. This includes phone, Facebook, Twitter and campaign websites. (Some candidates do not respond to our requests for information.)

Once we receive questionnaires, editorial newswriters and columnists use them and other background research to assess the candidates’ views. We then meet to discuss the pros and cons of each candidate, and then vote. The vote does not have to be unanimous, only a majority, in order to endorse a candidate. We do not endorse in uncontested races.

Early voting begins Thursday, April 24. Election Day is Tuesday, May 6.

When and where to vote:

One of the election law changes enacted by the Republicans last session reduced the number of days allotted for early voting from 14 to 10:
Early voting begins Thursday, April 24 and ends Saturday, May 3.

Election Day is Tuesday, May 6.

Runoff elections, if necessary, for local and state races will be held June 12–24.

Runoff elections, if necessary, for U.S. Senate and U.S. House will be held July 3–July 15.

There are also fewer early voting locations. Here’s a list, although some locations are not open each day of early voting:

Wake (wakegov.com)

Wake County Board of Elections, 337 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh

Herbert Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary

Knightdale Recreation Center, 102 Lawson Ridge Road, Knightdale

Lake Lynn Community Center, 7921 Ray Road, Raleigh

Hunt Recreation Center, 301 Stinson Ave., Holly Springs

Durham (dconc.gov)

Durham County Board of Elections, 706 W. Corporation St.

North Regional Library, 221 Milton Road

South Regional Library, 4505 S. Alston Ave.

Orange (co.orange.nc.us/elect)

Orange County Board of Elections, 208 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough

Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.

Seymour Senior Center, 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill

N.C. Hillel, 210 W. Cameron Ave., Chapel Hill

Master’s Garden Preschool, 7500 Schley Road, Hillsborough

Chatham (chathamnc.org)

Chatham Board of Elections, 984-E1 Thompson St., Pittsboro

Cole Park Plaza, Suite 232, 11470 U.S. 15-501 (behind Subway), Chapel Hill

Fitts Community Center, 111 S. Third Ave., Siler City

Across the street from Dollar General, 40-A Coral Ave., Goldston

How to vote absentee

TUESDAY, April 29, at 5 p.m. is the final day to submit a request for an absentee ballot from your local board of elections office. The ballots must be received by Tuesday, May 6, at 5 p.m.

There are requirements, though.

You must be registered to vote or submit a voter registration application with your ballot request. You must provide proof of identification: N.C. driver’s license number or ID card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have these, you must send current, valid photo ID, an official document showing the name and residential address of the voter: current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, etc.

When you get your ballot, you must have two witnesses or a notary present as you complete and sign it. Ballots will not be counted without this.

Local boards of elections have this information. The INDY has also included ballot request forms on its website, indyweek.com.

Wake

337 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, 919-856-6240, absentee@wakegov.com

Durham

706 W. Corporation St., Durham, 919-560-0070, absentee@dconc.gov

Orange

208 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough, 919-245-2353, dcheshire@orangecountync.gov

Chatham

984 Thompson St., Pittsboro, 919-545-8500, dawn.stumpf@chathamnc.org

This article appeared in print with the headline “Primary colors.”