Understanding the General Election
A general election is the final stage of the electoral process where voters choose between the party nominees and any independent or unaffiliated candidates who advanced from earlier primaries or qualified by petition. At this point, each political party has already selected its candidate, usually during the primary election, and voters decide who will actually win the office.
In North Carolina, the general election ballot typically includes races for:
- President and Vice President (in presidential election years)
- U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives
- Governor and Council of State offices
- North Carolina General Assembly (House and Senate)
- County Commissioners and School Boards
- Judges and local offices, including Mayors and City Councils (depending on the election cycle)
Whoever wins a general election takes office according to the timeline set by state law.
How It Differs from a Primary or Municipal Election
- Primary Election
A primary is essentially a nominating election. Members of each political party, and unaffiliated voters, if they choose, vote to select their party’s candidate(s) for each race. Winners from the primaries advance to the general election ballot. - General Election
The general election is where all voters, regardless of party, participate to choose who will ultimately serve in elected office. It’s the final decision‑making step in the process. General elections also sometimes include referendums, which are direct votes on policies such as local bonds, amendments, or tax measures. - Municipal Election
A municipal election occurs in odd‑numbered years and focuses on city and town governments, such as mayors, city councils, and local boards. While general and primary elections are mostly run at the county and state level, municipal elections are handled locally and often have lower turnout.
Where Midterm Elections Fit In
Not every general election coincides with a presidential race. Midterm elections occur halfway through a president’s four‑year term, in even‑numbered years between presidential elections.
During a midterm election, voters choose:
- All 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives
- About one‑third of the U.S. Senate
- Governors in some states
- Members of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Many county and local officials, including commissioners, school board members, and judges
Midterms play a critical role in balancing power between the state and federal governments. They often determine which political party controls Congress and shape the policy direction for the rest of a presidential term. Even though midterm turnout tends to be lower than in presidential elections, these races greatly impact local and state issues, including Cabarrus County’s schools, infrastructure, and taxes.
Why General Elections Are So Important
The general election determines who governs at nearly every level and what direction policies will take for years to come.
Here’s why participating matters:
- It shapes the future of our community. Local offices, such as county commissioners and school board members, decide issues that affect daily life: taxes, education, public safety, and infrastructure.
- It impacts state and national direction. North Carolina’s representatives in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh help shape budgets, laws, and priorities that affect every resident.
- Every vote counts. Only a handful of votes decide many local races.
Historically, voter turnout in general elections is much higher than in primaries, but participation in midterm and local general elections still lags behind that in presidential cycles. By casting a ballot, you make sure your voice is part of the decision‑making process.
