The Primary Election season has begun. Several states have already had their primary elections or caucuses, most notably Iowa and New Hampshire. Primary elections are used to select candidates that will represent each party at the general election, which will be held on November 5, 2024. North Carolina’s primary election is on March 5, 2024. This day is otherwise known as “Super Tuesday” because most states have their primaries on this day. Aside from the presidential primary, the primary for Governor as well as  several spots in the US House, the US Senate and the General Assembly are on the ballot. After the primaries are completed in all states, the Democratic and Republican parties will announce their nominations for the general election at their respective national conventions. The Democratic National Convention (DNC) will be held from August 19 to August 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. The Republican National Convention (RNC) will be held from July 15 to July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Presidential Primary

The main event for the nation is the Presidential Primary. The Democratic Primary candidate is current president, Joe Biden. The Republican Primary candidates are former president Donald Trump and former South Carolina Governor and US Ambassador Nikki Haley. 

Governor Primary

The Democratic candidates for Governor of North Carolina are law enforcement veteran, Gary Foxx; former Supreme Court Associate Justice, Mike Morgan; NC Attorney General Josh Stein; attorney Marcus Williams; and Mayor Pro Tempore of Tryon, Chrelle Booker. The Republican candidates for governor are State Treasurer, Dale Folwell; attorney Bill Graham; and Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson.

NC Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor

The candidates for the Democratic Primary are NC State Senator for district forty-two, Rachel Hunt; Navy Veteran Mark H. Robinson (who has no relation to current Lt. Governor and candidate for Governor Mark Robinson); and former NC Senator for district twenty-one, Ben Clark. The candidates for the Republican Primary are author Rivera Douthit; NC Representative for district nighty-four, Jeffrey Elmore; former paramedic and firefighter and business owner, Marlenis Hernandez Novoa; Pastor Allen Mashburn; Prosecutorial District Attorney for district thirty-one, Jim O’Neill; Air Force veteran and law enforcement officer, Sam Page; Army veteran Ernest T. Reeves; former Chief of Staff for former Lt. Governor Dan Forest and US Representative Sue Myrick, Hal Weatherman; attorney Seth Woodall; NC Senator for district forty-five, Deanna Ballard; and owner of GoRightNews and founder of Gays for Trump, Peter Boykin. 

NC Attorney General

The candidates for the Democratic Primary are Prosecutorial District Attorney for district sixteen, Satana Deberry; former prosecutor for the Marine Corps, Tim Dunn; and US Representative for NC’s fourteenth district, Jeff Jackson. The Republican Primary for Attorney General was canceled after only one candidate filed to run, US Representative from NC’s eighth Congressional District, Dan Bishop.

Other Offices

There are many other state positions on the ballot including, NC Commissioner of Insurance, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction, NC Auditor, NC Commissioner of Agriculture, NC Commissioner of Labor, NC Secretary of State, and NC Treasurer. Additionally, several US Congressional and state Congressional seats and Supreme, Appeals, and District Court positions are on the ballot.

Voting

Voters can check their registration and assigned voting location here. Election day is March 5, 2024, which is not an instructional day for Wake County Students. Early, in-person voting begins February 15 and ends March 2. Early voting locations can be found here.