While Jennifer Balkcom and Jamie Ager both come from Western NC farming families, the issues on which they are running are quite different.

Members of farming families face off in contest for NC mountain congressional seat is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

A potentially strong challenge to a state senator and an open contest for a state House seat make New Hanover worth watching in 2026.

Keeping an eye on 2 close NC legislative 2026 races in New Hanover County is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Frequently asked questions about early voting for the 2026 midterm general elections in North Carolina in 2026.

Early voting in NC in 2026. Everything you need to know. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

A look at 3 potentially competitive 2026 legislative races, as Democratic challengers seek to reduce Republicans' advantage in NC House.

Battling for NC House seats in Northeastern counties is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

NC uses dubious federal SAVE system to select registered voters for inquiry about citizenship. NC not taking them off rolls before election.

Why are NC registered voters getting letters questioning citizenship in 2026? is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

While suspending the gas tax faces little opposition, Democrats question Republican legislative leaders' timing so close to Election Day.

NC lawmakers suspend gas tax with quick return to Raleigh is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

A look at 3 contested 2026 races for the NC House and Senate in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties that could be competitive in November.

3 NC legislative races worth watching in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus counties is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Despite rejection by her party over past social media comments, Shelly Headen is continuing her challenge to Rep. Blust for Guilford district.

Contest for NC House seat in Guilford marred by controversy, but race is still on is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

North nearly pulled off an upset in a Forsyth district no one thought was competitive in 2024. She might have a better chance in 2026.

North and Zenger rematch for NC House seat could be another nailbiter is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Groups are suing to prevent the NC State Board of Elections from spoiling ballots over rules they see as unrelated to voter eligibility.

Election lawsuit season kicks off. Change in NC absentee ballot rules challenged in federal court. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Growing pains, schools and property taxes are hot issues in each of the three close NC legislative contests in Wake County in 2026.

Three hot NC legislative races in Wake County is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

From proposed constitutional amendments about taxes and voter ID to a range of local referendums, 2026 NC voters will face ballot questions.

What’s up with all these ballot questions in NC in 2026? is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Answers to frequently asked questions about mail-in voting in North Carolina, which gets underway Sept. 4, the earliest in the nation.

What’s up with mail-in voting in NC in 2026? is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Thanks to a sufficient number of objections, several proposed NC elections rules need further review and likely won't affect 2026 voting.

The NC elections rules that aren’t quite rules yet is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Candidates trying to unseat sheriffs criticize tendency to reelect incumbents and appoint handpicked successors in many NC counties.

Rising stars? Challengers to NC sheriffs bank on voters’ thirst for change. is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

State Board of Elections mostly backs fewer Sundays, more Saturdays in early voting plans. Increasing evidence of auditor staff interference.

NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Anita Earls and Sarah Stevens compete for voters' attention and make case for why people should back them in race for NC Supreme Court seat.

Political parties see high stakes in NC Supreme Court election is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

NC House GOP can likely override veto of courts bill in November, but might not have enough votes to override elections bill veto from Stein.

Gov. Stein vetoes bills affecting elections and judge suspensions is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

With troubled incumbent US Rep. Chuck Edwards stepping aside, GOP needs to find new nominee fast. One obvious choice says he's not interested.

Republicans search for a replacement nominee for Congress in Western NC is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

One of the NC election bills is fairly bipartisan. The other has only GOP support. Gov. Stein said he will veto that bill.

NC lawmakers send two big election bills to governor is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.