- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county.

2026 North Carolina Primary Election

North Carolina

Taxes

Public Health

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

County Commissioner

Chowan

Jail Management

Criminal Justice

Sheriff

The Clerk of Superior Court is elected in each county through a partisan election for a four-year term. The Clerk has five main responsibilities:
- Probate Judge: Handles 46 types of actions, including managing estates, guardianship proceedings, and appointing personal representatives.
- Court Administrator: Oversees the administration of the court.
- Record Keeper: Files, processes, and maintains all cases and documents submitted to the court.
- Financial Manager: Manages the collection, investment, and distribution of money from court fees and traffic citations.
- Employee Manager: Supervises a team ranging from 5 to over 200 employees.


Oversees the county's probate court, judicial administration, records, and finances.

Clay

Victim Assistance

Judicial Efficiency

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Budget

Clerk of Superior Court

- The Register of Deeds Office issues marriage licenses and supplies copies of birth and death certificates. They also may assist in administering notary public oaths. 
- The Register of Deeds is elected every two years. 

Record keeper for important local documents

Administration

Register of Deeds

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

2026 North Carolina candidates

Chowan County Commissioner, District 2, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Chowan Sheriff, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Chowan County Commissioner, District 3, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Clay Clerk of Superior Court, Republican Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Clay Register of Deeds, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Clay County Board of Education Member, Republican Primary

How this impacts you

Clay County Commissioner, Republican Primary

How this impacts you

Clay County Commissioner, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Clay Sheriff, Republican Primary

Cleveland County Commissioner, Republican Primary

How this impacts you