In addition to state and federal races, Orange and Chatham county voters will choose two district court judges, Orange voters will choose a county commissioner, and Chatham voters will elect two county commissioners and two school board members. To find your polling place in Orange County, go to www.co.orange.nc.us/elect/location.asp or call 245-2350. In Chatham, go to www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=110 or call 545-8500.
Early voting ends Saturday, Nov. 1; Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. During early voting, you can register to vote and cast your ballot on the same day.
The Independent does not endorse in unopposed races; here are our recommendations for the contested elections.
Orange and Chatham counties
U.S. President: Barack Obama (D)
U.S. Senate: Kay Hagan (D)
U.S. Congress District 2: Bob Etheridge (D)
U.S. Congress District 4: David Price (D)
Governor: Bev Perdue (D)
Lieutenant Governor: Walter H. Dalton (D)
Attorney General: Roy Cooper (D)
Auditor: Beth A. Wood (D)
Commissioner of Agriculture: Ronnie Ansley (D)
Commissioner of Insurance: Wayne Goodwin (D)
Commissioner of Labor: Mary Fant Donnan (D)
Secretary of State: Elaine F. Marshall (D)
Superintendent of Public Instruction: June St. Clair Atkinson (D)
Treasurer: Janet Cowell (D)
N.C. Supreme Court: Suzanne Reynolds (nonpartisan)
N.C. Court of Appeals: James A. (Jim) Wynn, Kristin Ruth, Cheri Beasley, Linda Stephens, John S. Arrowood (nonpartisan)
District Court Judge District 15B: Alonzo Brown Coleman Jr., Page Vernon (nonpartisan)
Orange County only
State Senate District 23: Ellie Kinnaird (D)
County Commissioner at-large: Bernadette Pelissier (D)
Chatham County only
State Senate District 18: Bob Atwater (D)
County Commissioner District 1: Sally Kost (D)
County Commissioner District 2: Mike Cross (D)
Board of Education District 1: Flint O'Brien (nonpartisan)
Board of Education District 2: Peter Rubinas (nonpartisan)