North Carolina Politics

What you need to know about the candidates running for state treasurer

Incumbent Dale Folwell and Ronnie Chatterji are vying to become the state's next treasurer. Here's where they stand on key issues.

Higher rate of deficiencies reported in absentee ballots cast by Black voters in NC

As the election approaches, there have been concerns about racial disparities in absentee ballot deficiency rates.  The North Carolina State Board of Elections  reports that 3.5 percent of non-Hispanic Black voters and 2.6 percent of Hispanic voters have had their ballots deemed deficient, compared to one percent of non-Hispanic white voters. “I’m sure there are consequences of historical, systemic oppression that sort of plays into that as well in terms of just access to the ballots and familiarity with election procedures,” said Jeff Loperfido, senior counsel for voting rights at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice Voters can track the status of their mail-in ballots using BallotTrax. 

Court ruling restores voting rights to thousands of North Carolinians

With the recent ruling on Sept. 4, around 5,000 people are newly eligible to vote.

As the census deadline approaches, here's what college students need to know

“The census is important just because it helps determine $675 billion in federal funds. College kids need to know that they should fill it out — don’t rely on their parents to do it.”

Governor’s budget recommendations only partly implemented in new COVID-19 relief bill

Though the General Assembly and the governor's office reached an agreement on a new coronavirus relief bill, the battle for a state budget rages on. 

Weekly Quiz for the Well-Read News Whiz: Sept. 18

Ex-offenders led the fight to make getting second chances easier—and they won

Advocates reflect on the North Carolina General Assembly passing the Second Chance Act, which makes it easier for people with non-violent felonies to get their records expunged.

What you need to know about the N.C. commissioner of labor candidates

The November election is coming up, so The Daily Tar Heel is breaking down every state and local office on the ballot from governor to county commissioner. Here we broke down who the candidates are for N.C. commissioner of labor. 

Here's what issues matter most to N.C. House candidates Meyer and Insko

The November election is coming up, so The Daily Tar Heel is breaking down every state and local office on the ballot from governor to county commissioner. Here we broke down who the candidates are for N.C. House District 50 and 56.

CHCCS suspends driver's education instruction; OCS launches virtual program

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' online driver's education program was canceled Aug. 19, while Orange County Schools restarted a virtual program Sept. 14.   

Orange County Board of Commissioners returns to session with a packed agenda

The Orange County Board of Commissioners discussed commemorating the Voting Rights Act of 1965, decriminalizing marijuana and the county's response to COVID-19 at a Tuesday meeting.

N.C. General Assembly prepares COVID-19 plans as return to session approaches

The North Carolina General Assembly goes back into session on Sept. 2, which would be the first time either the House or Senate have convened since July 11. But the House Select Committee on COVID-19 has restarted meetings to discuss the legislature’s approach to the newest wave of coronavirus-related issues. 

State and community leaders hold listening session to discuss criminal justice reform

The North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice has recommended a ban on chokeholds, a mandate to intervene and report excessive uses of force and that judges consider a defendant's ability to pay before implementing a fine or fee. 

Here's the new state platform that takes a 'whole-person' approach to health care

NCCARE360, a technology platform that helps connect North Carolinians with health care providers and human service organizations across the state, launched June 22. Here's how officials think it can help with a "whole-person" approach to health care in North Carolina amid the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Mayors across Orange County respond to death of George Floyd

The Daily Tar Heel talked to Mayor Pam Hemminger of Chapel Hill, Mayor Lydia Lavelle of Carrboro and Mayor Jenn Weaver of Hillsborough about a statement they co-signed condemning the death of George Floyd and police brutality.

Protest over death of George Floyd escalates in Raleigh as police deploy tear gas

Thousands gathered in Raleigh this Saturday to peacefully protest. The next morning, downtown was decimated. After a peaceful protest that began around 5 p.m. and lasted for approximately two hours, tensions escalated through the night as police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators and multiple buildings were damaged in the aftermath.   

Board of Governors committee discusses COVID-19 aid funding for UNC System schools

The Board of Governors' Committee on Budget and Finance met Tuesday to discuss funding allocations of the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act and the UNC System Debt Capacity Study for the 2019 fiscal year. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated $44.4 million to the UNC System in April. 

NC Policy Collaboratory receives $29 million from state for COVID-19 research

The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory received $29 million as part of a $1.5 billion coronavirus relief package signed by Governor Cooper earlier this week. UNC-Chapel Hill was one of five North Carolina universities to receive funding for COVID-19 research. 

Here are the key takeaways from the state's COVID-19 relief legislation

The COVID-19 relief package Governor Roy Cooper signed into law Monday includes appropriations for UNC Medical Center and for the University to conduct COVID-19 treatment research. Orange County representatives highlighted the importance of the bill's allocation of funds for schools, food banks and rural communities.

'Living inside a bubble': How N.C. voters broke along lines of income and education

With competitive elections for nearly every office in the state on the ballot this fall, two counties on opposite sides of the state with differing population dynamics serve as examples of a greater statewide trend.  Between the 2012 and 2016 elections, North Carolina counties' vote shift tracked with their median income and education level u2014 counties with higher income and education levels tended to shift towards the Democratic Party and counties experiencing more poverty shifted their vote towards the Republican Party.