departments & agencies
glossary terms
189 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801
PO Box 7468
Asheville, NC 28802-7468
(828) 250-4200
Types of Elections
There are three types of elections: Municipal, Primary and General elections. The following information will describe each type.
Municipal Election
An election held for towns, cities or other special districts.
Only residents of these municipalities and districts are eligible
to vote in these elections. These elections are held in odd-numbered
years.
General Election
A General Election is defined as a partisan election in which
candidates are elected. All registered voters are eligible
to vote in a general election. General elections are held
in even-numbered years.
General elections are held for the following offices:
- U.S. President / Vice President*
- U.S. House Of Representatives (Congress)
- North Carolina State House and State Senate officials
- County Officials (e.g., County Commissioners)
- Municipal Officials (e.g., mayor, council members)**
- School Board
General elections also may include bond proposals and referenda.
* Four-year general elections (based on presidential election
year).
** Municipal officials will be elected in 1999 general elections
and every two years thereafter.
Registered voters may vote for candidates in either party, regardless of their declared party affiliation.
Primary Election
A Primary is defined as an election which nominates
candidates to the ballot for the General Election. The nominees
of each party are then placed on the ballot for general election.
Primary elections are held in even numbered years prior to
the general election.
A Primary Election is held to nominate a candidate to represent a political party in the General Election. Primary elections are held for the following offices:
- U.S. House Of Representatives (Congress)
- Governor and other North Carolina officials such as:
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary Of State
- State Auditor
- State Treasurer
- Superintendent Of Public Instruction
- Commissioner Of Labor
- Commissioner Of Insurance
- Commissioner Of Agriculture
- North Carolina State House and State Senate officials
- County Officials (e.g., County Commissioners)
- Municipal Officials (e.g., mayor, council members)
Registered voters may vote ONLY in the primary election of their declared party. If a voter is registered as "unaffiliated", he/she may vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary election.
Political Party
An organization of voters which supports a political view, and is recognized by the State Board of Elections.
Non-Partisan
An election where candidates do not run as a nominee of a political party. Judicial elections are non-partisan as well as most municipal elections.
Partisan
An election where the candidates must be a nominee of a recognized political party or otherwise qualify.
Unaffiliated
Choice to not register with a political party.
Absentee Voting
Voting by mail or One-Stop prior to Election Day.
One-Stop Voting
Voting in a time frame, in person, prior to Election Day.
No-Excuse Voting
No longer needing an excuse to vote by mail or One-Stop method.
Near Relative
By election law, spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, stepchild, in-law (father, mother, son or daughter).