Two years ago, the North Carolina legislature voted to separate the presidential primary from the federal, state, and local races, planning to conduct the first in March and the others in May.

But Orange County Elections Director Tracy Reams says concerns about the cost of hosting two primaries and two early voting periods prompted lawmakers to move every race to the March ballot.

“Because of the cost- I think it was $9.5 million statewide- to conduct the second primary in May, they elected to move all primaries up to March 15,” explains Reams.

She says this move saved Orange County taxpayers approximately $107,000.

She notes this will mean a significant change to the filing period as well. Those making up their minds to run in 2016 have only a few weeks to think it over.

“As far as the filing period, that will begin December 1 and it will end before December 21, so they’ll need to come in and file before Christmas gets here,” says Reams.

The move could make a difference in the 2016 county commissioner races, where four seats will be up for grabs. Orange County is a Democratic stronghold, and primaries between Democratic candidates are traditionally more hotly contested than the General Election. A shorter primary season means less time for candidates to fundraise and campaign.

In addition to the commissioner and county school board seats, federal, state, gubernatorial and judicial races will be on the ballot next March.

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