The 2026 Midterm Elections will have a profound impact on civil rights and liberties in North Carolina. But with so many races on the ballot, especially for smaller, local offices that don’t get as much attention in the media, it can be difficult to know what the candidates stand for and who you can trust. We’ve put together a guide on how to research a candidate’s values, priorities, and background so you can make an informed decision when you cast your ballot.
Start with your ballot.
The first step is to download a sample ballot so you know which offices and candidates will be on your ballot. You can search your name using this tool from the State Board of Elections to make sure your registration is up to date and download a sample ballot for any upcoming elections (scroll down to “Your Sample Ballot” and click on the link for the 2026 general election). You can also find your Election Day polling place using this tool, but remember, Election Day is the last day to vote, not the first. Consider voting early during the early voting period from October 15 through 31. You can use this tool to find early voting sites in your county. Same-day registration is available during early voting but not on Election Day.
Once you know which candidates are on your ballot, you can use a variety of sources to learn more about them.
Voting Records
For state legislature offices, you can look up the voting records of incumbent candidates, meaning candidates that are already in office and are seeking reelection. A candidate’s record can tell you where they stand on certain issues and how effective they’ve been in their current office. On the North Carolina General Assembly website, you can find incumbent candidates on the House or Senate list of members, click on their name, and navigate to the “Votes” tab to see how they voted on specific bills. Be careful — sometimes bill names can be misleading. We have a list of important bills from the most recent session on our website that would impact North Carolinian’s civil liberties and civil rights. For example, you can learn about an incumbent’s track record on immigrants’ rights by looking at how they voted on SB 153, an anti-immigrant bill that requires state agencies to enter agreements with ICE. If you want to see their history on LGBTQ+ issues you can look at how they voted on HB 805, a bill targeting the transgender community and enforcing school censorship.
Campaign Websites
Candidates often use campaign websites to share information about their background, experience, values, and political priorities. Remember that campaign materials like websites are trying to convince you to vote for them, so you want to carefully consider if the information they’re sharing is trustworthy.
Newspaper Endorsements and Questionnaires
Many local newspapers will interview candidates and share endorsements along with an explanation of why they think their endorsed candidate is the right choice. Sometimes, newspapers also publish questionnaires that candidates have filled out answering questions that editorial boards have put together. This is a great way to find out how the candidates respond to tricky questions and get into more detail on their policy priorities. Some of the North Carolina newspapers that typically do endorsements are The News and Observer, The Charlotte Observer, The Durham Herald-Sun, and Indy Week.
Individual and Organization Endorsements
In addition to newspapers, some influential people in North Carolina politics offer their own endorsements. There are also many political organizations devoted to specific causes that endorse candidates based on their own sets of values and priorities. You can often see a list of a candidate’s endorsements on their campaign website. If you find an organization whose opinion you trust, you can check their endorsements to gain new insight into races. Note: the ACLU of North Carolina does not endorse candidates for office.
Campaign Finance Information
Sometimes politicians receive donations to their campaigns from wealthy donors or PACs (Political Action Committees), which have their own agendas and policy priorities. If elected, those politicians may feel beholden to the interests of their largest donors. Learning which PACs have contributed to a candidate’s campaign may tell you more about their obligations, which could impact their policy decisions. Transparency USA has a list of the highest contributions to a candidate’s campaign.
Remember, local and state elections can deeply impact our daily lives, so staying informed is an important part of the political process. An informed and engaged voter base is better able to exercise their power and have a say in policy decisions.
You don’t have to check all of these resources for each candidate. Decide what resource is important to you and use multiple sources when possible. An informed and engaged electorate is an important part of a healthy democracy.
You should also vote early and make a voting plan. If you have a problem while voting or have questions about your voting rights, you can call or text 888-OUR-VOTE for free, nonpartisan help.
