Five Statewide Races Every High Country Voter Sees

Same five statewide races on every ballot in Watauga, Ashe and Avery, whatever your district. Here they are.

U.S. Senate. Thom Tillis is not running, so the seat is open. Democrat Roy Cooper, our former governor, faces Republican Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair. Libertarian Shannon Bray and Michael Dublin, of the Green Party, are on the ballot too. The winner takes office in January 2027 and serves six years. North Carolina’s other seat belongs to Republican Ted Budd, elected in 2022 and not up until 2028. Each of the state’s two senators represents everyone in it, so this one is yours no matter where you live.

N.C. Supreme Court, one seat. Justice Anita Earls, a Democrat, is defending her seat against Sarah Stevens, a Republican from Surry County. Stevens resigned the N.C. House, effective June 16, to run full time. Republicans hold five of the court's seven seats. If Earls wins, it stays 5-2. If Stevens wins, it goes 6-1. The term is eight years.

N.C. Court of Appeals, three seats. Republicans hold 12 of the court's 15 seats. Democrats hold the other three, and all three seats are on this year's ballot. Seat 1, Democrat John S. Arrowood and Republican Michael C. Byrne. Seat 2, Democrat Tobias (Toby) Hampson and Republican George Cooper Bell. Seat 3 is open because Democratic Judge Allegra Collins is not seeking reelection. Democrat Christine Marie Walczyk faces Republican Craig Collins.

Three constitutional amendments are on the ballot too. Our guide to what's actually on your ballot breaks down each one.