Early voting has commenced for North Carolina's November 2025 municipal elections across 380 municipalities, ending November 1. With low odd-year turnout, locals are urged to vote for leaders who impact community decisions.
Early voting has begun across 380 North Carolina municipalities for the November 2025 municipal elections.
Voting kicked off Thursday, Oct. 16, and ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Across the state, 447 cities, towns and villages in 88 counties are conducting elections this November. Of these, 67 municipalities chose not to use early and absentee voting. In those municipalities, voters cast their ballots only on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Odd years typically have low voter turnout, even though local elected leaders make decisions that deeply affect lives.
“These politicians need to know what's happening around us so that they can focus on us. I know the national elections usually get all the spotlight. Still, it really starts back home, and people really need to understand these are the people that are making the decisions right here in our own city, states, towns, communities,” said Stephanie Wilson Jones.
Jones is a small business owner who lives in Knightdale, encouraging residents to get out and vote.
She added, "Especially for my type of business, with the zoning and just the development of the community, I need to be making sure that things are happening out here too, because I want people to come here. I need that growth. I need to be able to have the people want to buy and live here, because if there's nothing going on, people are going to go elsewhere, and that kind of hurts my business."
City and town officials on the ballot this fall will guide growth and development, set property tax rates and spend on things like parks, policing and roads.
Here’s a breakdown of who’s running in Wake County:
KNIGHTDALE TOWN COUNCIL (THREE SEATS)
APEX TOWN COUNCIL (THREE SEATS)
CARY TOWN COUNCIL (AT-LARGE, DISTRICT A & DISTRICT C)
At-Large
District A
District C
FUQUAY-VARINA MAYOR
FUQUAY-VARINA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (TWO SEATS)
GARNER TOWN COUNCIL (TWO SEATS)
HOLLY SPRINGS MAYOR
HOLLY SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL (THREE SEATS)
MORRISVILLE MAYOR
MORRISVILLE TOWN COUNCIL (AT-LARGE, DISTRICT 2 & DISTRICT 4)
At-Large
Current council member Steve Rao, whose term expires in December, is seeking a seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
District 2
District 4
ROLESVILLE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (THREE SEATS)
WAKE FOREST MAYOR
WAKE FOREST BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (TWO SEATS)
WENDELL BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (THREE SEATS)
ZEBULON MAYOR
ZEBULON BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (TWO SEATS)
November 4, 2025 Municipal Election Information
Voters in many municipalities will select mayors and members of their local governing bodies. In some areas, voters will choose water and sewer or sanitary district commissioners or board of education members. Additionally, several towns have referenda on the ballot.
There are numerous non-party elections taking place in Wake County including Garner, Apex, Holly Springs, Cary, Morrisville and Fuquay-Varina.
During the early voting period, eligible individuals who are not registered to vote may register and vote at the same time at an early voting site in their county. For more information, see Register in Person During Early Voting.
“Municipal elections are a huge undertaking across North Carolina. We appreciate the hard work of our county officials and poll workers in administering these important elections,” said Sam Hayes, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections. “Municipal elections represent another opportunity for voters to make their voices heard in choosing their government leaders.”
Early voting sites and schedules are available at the State Board of Elections' Early Voting Site Search and at Early Voting Sites for the Nov. 4, 2025 Municipal Elections. Statewide, 144 early voting sites will be open for the November elections.