During this local election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro’s news team spoke with candidates for races representing Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and Pittsboro. Each were presented the same set of questions covering their decisions to run for elected office, goals for their towns and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. Their recordings (lightly edited for clarity and to fit within a five-minute limit) each aired on 97.9 The Hill before early voting began, and are available below to inform voters throughout the election cycle.

Here is how to navigate to each of the local municipal elections 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro are covering this fall. To hear from a candidate, look for their names and press the “play” button on the audio player underneath their photo.

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill Mayoral and Town Council Races

A recent poll of Chapel Hill voters indicated this year’s races for mayor and town council have thin margins. With three of the four council seats on the ballot being open, and a change in the mayorship for the first time in eight years, there’s likely to be some major changes coming for the town’s elected body.

Click here to listen to each Chapel Hill mayoral candidate and all ten town council candidates share their platforms.

 

Photo via Town of Carrboro.

Carrboro Mayoral and Town Council Races

Carrboro is similarly seeing a change at mayor after Damon Seils led for one term, while two town council members are seeing their terms end without seeking re-election. That leads to change coming for the seven-person elected body that helps lead the town.

Click here to listen to each Carrboro town council candidates and the town’s lone mayoral candidate introduce themselves to voters.

 

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Board of Education Race

The 2023 race for four seats available on the CHCCS Board of Education has one of the deepest fields in recent memory. Three out of four sitting board members are running for reelection, while several people who initially filed have either pulled their names or dropped out of the race, and the remaining candidates are vying for a spot on the board.

Click here to listen to 12 of the 14 CHCCS school board candidates’ descriptions of their platforms and goals.

 

Hillsborough Mayoral and Board of Commissioners Race

There are three seats available in this year’s Hillsborough Board of Commissioners race. Two sitting members of the board are running for re-election, while two first-time candidates are looking to earn the seat left open by Mark Bell — who is running for the open mayor’s role.

Click here to listen to three of the four Hillsborough Board of Commissioners candidates, as well as the candidate for mayor.

 

Photo via the Town of Pittsboro.

Pittsboro Mayoral and Board of Commissioners Race

This is the first election cycle Chapelboro is striving to consistently cover the Pittsboro municipal elections. It comes as the town sees three seats available on its council and a change in leadership as Mayor Cindy Perry is stepping down. The town faces several challenges and opportunities, including adjusting to a boom of growth from the nearby Chatham Park development, a new partnership with Sanford for utilities, and a burgeoning downtown business scene.

Click here to listen and learn more about four of the six Pittsboro Board of Commissioners candidates and the lone candidate for mayor.

 

Early voting for the 2023 municipal elections is underway and will run through Saturday, November 4, with residents then having Election Day on Tuesday, November 7 as their final opportunity to cast their votes.

For a full list of races Chapelboro is covering this 2023 local election cycle, click here. Additional coverage throughout election season, including on other groups’ endorsements, can be found on the Chapelboro Local Elections page.

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.

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