GOP anticipates turnout: March 5th primary will likely elect county commissioners

North Carolina recognizes five political parties: The Democratic Party, the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, the No Labels Party, and the Republican Party. A voter may choose one political party or can decide not to register with a political party. If a voter does not register with a political party, the voter will be registered as unaffiliated. According to North Carolina Election Laws:

In a partisan primary, voters affiliated with a political party may only vote their party’s ballot and may not vote in another party’s primary. For example, a registered Republican may only vote in the Republican Party primary. This remains true even if the party you are affiliated with does not have a primary, such as the No Labels Party and the Green Party in 2024. Unaffiliated voters may choose any one political party’s ballot or a nonpartisan ballot (if available) in a primary election. 

Democrats in Davidson County will have limited primary options.

Incumbents Fred McClure, James Shores and Todd Yates are up for re-election, and all filed to run in 2024.

They are joined in the race by Jacob Beck of Welcome, Dwight D. Cornelison of Silver Valley, Jason Gibson of Lexington, Dana M. Loomis of Welcome, Doug Hunt, Jr. of Thomasville, Tripp Kester of Wallburg, Sandy Motley of Denton, Clyde Scaff of Lexington and Dexter M. Short of Lexington.

A primary for commissioners and other seats will be held on March 5. Early voting dates were recently approved by the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Andrew Richards, Director of Davidson County Board of Elections addressed public confusion surrounding the county commissioners’ primary.

“Although they are all Republicans, there are only three seats,” said Richards. “We want to clear up any confusion,” said Richards. “Yes, there will be a primary election for county commissioners.” With no other parties represented, the top three winners of Davidson County’s Republican primary will determine the newly-elected county commissioners.