Runoff Election Day is Here. Here's What You Need to Know to Vote in Orange County.

A handful of races from the spring 2024 election cycle are still undecided, and Tuesday, May 14 marks final day of voting for the remaining contests. Orange County is in a unique position compared to other counties, as it has a runoff election in its school board race — one that has added intrigue since one of its candidates has resigned from the board of education.

Voters may see Jennifer Moore and Bonnie Hauser on their ballots, as the pair of incumbent candidates vie for their second terms and the final open seat on the board. It comes after Hauser requested a runoff due to Moore falling 66 votes shy of a 50 percent majority during the March race. Since then, Moore resigned from the school board for health reasons, clarified she does not have doctorate degree that she’d claimed to have, and said she does not plan to serve on the school board even if elected. If Moore earns the most votes over Hauser, the Board of Education would be required to appoint someone for a two-year term.

Additionally, two statewide primary elections are on the ballot for Republican voters. Hal Weatherman and Jim O’Neill were the top vote-earners in a crowded Republican primary for North Carolina lieutenant governor — but neither reached the vote threshold needed to win like Democratic candidate Rachel Hunt and Libertarian Dee Watson did in their races. Meanwhile, Jack Clark and David Boliek will go through a second round of voting to see who earns the Republican nomination for North Carolina Auditor and will face Democratic nominee Jessica Holmes and Libertarian candidate Bob Drach this fall.

Here is what to know for voting in this extra round of elections:

Who Can Vote in these Primaries and the Runoff?

Not all registered voters can participate in these runoff elections — largely because two are still primary elections and the third is for a school district. Only registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters can cast ballots in the lieutenant governor and state auditor races, while only those living in the Orange County Schools district will have Hauser and Moore on their ballots.

Do I Need an ID to Vote?

Yes, voters will need to show a photo ID in order to receive a ballot.

Acceptable photo IDs include: driver’s licenses, passports, military IDs, student and employee IDs from the local universities, and local government employee IDs for the county and town governments in Orange County. An full list of photo IDs accepted can be found on the North Carolina Board of Elections website.

Additionally, all registered voters can also receive a free photo ID from the county elections office for elections purposes. Orange County’s office is located at 208 South Cameron Street in Hillsborough and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where And When Can I Vote?

With it being an Election Day instead of early voting, anyone eligible to vote in the school board race or Republican primaries will have to go to their election precinct. Voters can find their polling place on their voter registration card, or checking the North Carolina Board of Elections Voter Search tool. Additionally, Orange County has a precinct map on its elections webpage.

Election Day voting for the May 14 runoffs opened at 6:30 a.m. and will continue through 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Where Can I Learn More?

The Orange County, Durham County and Chatham County websites have more information that could be helpful to voters and residents about the statewide second primaries.

Click here for the Orange County elections site.

Click here for the Durham County elections site.

Click here for the Chatham County elections site.

Additionally, Orange County voters can text 919-246-8773 at any time to ask questions before they head to the polls. More voter resources and information can be found on the North Carolina Board of Elections website.

Stay up to date on local election news by visiting the Local Elections page on Chapelboro.com, including prior coverage on the Orange County Schools Board of Education election.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.