Orange County Early Voting is Underway: Here's What You Need to Know

Early voting for local elections in Orange County and Durham County begins Thursday, October 14. Here is your guide for this fall’s election cycle.

COVID-19 Precautions

As early voting begins October 14, Rachel Raper, the director of elections for Orange County, said some changes from the 2020 election cycle are set to carry over.

“I had truly hoped November 2020 would be the first and the only election I would have to conduct in a pandemic,” Raper said. “Unfortunately, I was wrong.”

During the voting period, several safety protocols will be present. Masks are required and will be provided to voters who do not have them. Single use pens will be used for voters to mark their ballots.

Raper said social distancing protocols will also remain.

“This time we have a playbook that we can go by,” Raper said. “We know what safety protocols are necessary for voters and our staff to be able to vote and work safely during this pandemic.”

Where Can I Vote?

Early Voting Schedule for Orange County 2021 elections. (Photo via Orange County Board of Elections)

Raper said there are four early voting locations in Orange County, which include Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons, Carrboro Town Hall Complex, Chapel of the Cross, and Seymore Senior Center.

“During early voting you can vote wherever is most convenient to you,” Raper said.

On October 14 and 15 the only early voting location will be Orange Works. Beginning October 18, all four locations will be open weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Sundays between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

On Election Day, November 2, voters will need to vote at their assigned polling place.

Durham County

Chapel Hill voters who live in Durham County will vote at a Durham early voting location.

These locations include, North Regional Library, East Regional Library, South Regional Library, Durham County Main Library, and the NCCU Turner Law Building.

Early voting for the 2021 Municipal Election begins this week! If you want to beat the Election Day rush, head to the polls October 14-October 30 or request a ballot by mail. For more information about Durham County Board of Elections, visit https://t.co/c1chcPzJ4g. #Elections pic.twitter.com/4uWdgKhj9v

— Durham County, NC (@DurhamCounty) October 11, 2021

For more information, click here.

Chatham County

Voters who live in Chatham County will vote at the Chatham County early voting locations: the Board of Elections and the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center.

For more information, click here.

Registering to Vote

To be able to vote on Election Day, November 2, voters could have registered to vote at their current address in the county by October 8. If voters missed that deadline, they can register and vote at an early voting location between October 14-30. Raper said she suggests registering ahead of the deadline.

“I always encourage voters to register before the voter registration deadline so that when they present to vote either early or on election day everything’s been taken care of ahead of time,” Raper said.

Voters can check their registration or register to vote here.

Who’s Running?

Learn more about the candidates filed for Orange County elections, and hear about their decision to run for elected office and their background in the community, here.

Chapel Hill Mayor

Zachary R. Boyce
Hongbin Gu
Pam Hemminger (Incumbent)

Chapel Hill Town Council (4 seats available)

Robert Beasley
Camille Berry
Jeffrey C. Hoagland
Paris Miller-Foushee
Vimala Rajendran
Adam Searing
Karen Stegman (Incumbent)

Carrboro Mayor

Michael Benson
Damon Seils

Carrboro Town Council (3 seats available)

Jacquelyn Gist (Incumbent)
Randee Haven-O’Donnell (Incumbent)
Barbara Middleton-Foushee (Incumbent)
Aja Kelleher
Danny Nowell

Hillsborough Mayor

Jenn Weaver (Incumbent)

Hillsborough Board of Commissioners (2 seats available)

Robb English (Incumbent — appointed)
Kathleen Ferguson (Incumbent)
Anna Linvill

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education (3 seats available)

George Griffin
Ryan C. Jackson
Riza Jenkins
Meredith Pruitt
Mike Sharp
Tim Sookram

Early voting in Orange County will run through Saturday, October 30. Election Day will be Tuesday, November 2. For more election coverage and candidate introductions, visit Chapelboro’s Local Election Coverage page.

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