The Macon County Board of Elections provides:

• Proof of registration upon request
• Speakers for various functions at the request of groups desiring information
• Registration and the election process
• Computer printouts, diskettes, and labels for a fee
• Procedural guides for candidates
• Election results to candidates, media, and citizens
• Free voter ID card upon request

The Macon County Board of Elections is also responsible for:

• Voter Registration
• Maintaining voter registration records
  Filing Candidates for Municipal, County, State Senate, and State House of Representatives
• Administering the provisions of the campaign reporting laws
• Training precinct officials
  

Types of Elections

There are three types of elections: Municipal, Primary and General elections. The following information will describe each type

Municipal Election
An election held for towns, cities or other special districts. Only residents of these municipalities and districts are eligible to vote in these elections. These elections are held in odd-numbered years.

During odd-numbered years (so as to alternate with statewide general elections) most Municipal Elections are held to elect the governing officials (Mayor, City Council, Town Council, etc.) of cities, villages and towns across North Carolina. Not all municipalities will have an election in a given odd-numbered year. A few municipalities elect their officials in even-numbered years. Although Municipal Elections are conducted by county boards of election, only residents of the municipality are qualified to vote in the election. These voters must have resided in the municipality for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election.

North Carolina law allows for four different types of Municipal Election methods. These four methods have been outlined by the North Carolina Legislature in Chapter 163, Article 24 of the North Carolina General Statutes. A municipality's chosen method of election is codified in their charter, but must be one of the four types outlined by the State in order to comply with state law.

Nonpartisan plurality method
This is the most common municipal election method. All candidates for a position are listed on the ballot, without party affiliation. The top vote-getters are elected, regardless of whether or not they received a majority. If the contest is for more than one seat, the person or persons receiving the next-highest vote totals are also elected. For example, if there are 7 candidates running for 2 seats, the candidates that finish first and second are elected.
N.C. General Statute 163-292

General Election
A General Election is defined as a partisan election in which candidates are elected. All registered voters are eligible to vote in a general election. General elections are held in even-numbered years.

General elections are held for the following offices:

• U.S. President / Vice President*
• U.S. House Of Representatives (Congress)
• North Carolina State House and State Senate officials
• County Officials (e.g., County Commissioners)
• Municipal Officials (e.g., mayor, council members)**
• School Board
• General elections also may include bond proposals and referenda.

* Four-year general elections (based on presidential election year).
** Municipal officials will be elected in 1999 general elections and every two years thereafter.

Registered voters may vote for candidates in either party, regardless of their declared party affiliation.

Primary Election
A Primary is defined as an election which nominates candidates to the ballot for the General Election. The nominees of each party are then placed on the ballot for general election. Primary elections are held in even numbered years prior to the general election.

A Primary Election is held to nominate a candidate to represent a political party in the General Election. Primary elections are held for the following offices:

• U.S. House Of Representatives (Congress)

Governor and other North Carolina officials such as:

• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary Of State
• State Auditor
• State Treasurer
• Superintendent Of Public Instruction
• Commissioner Of Labor
• Commissioner Of Insurance
• Commissioner Of Agriculture
• North Carolina State House and State Senate officials
• County Officials (e.g., County Commissioners)
• Municipal Officials (e.g., mayor, council members)

Registered voters may vote ONLY in the primary election of their declared party. If a voter is registered as "unaffiliated", he/she may vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary election.

POLITICAL PARTY
AN ORGANIZATION OF VOTERS WHICH SUPPORTS A POLITICAL VIEW, AND IS RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

NON-PARTISAN
An election where candidates do not run as a nominee of a political party. Judicial elections are non-partisan as well as most municipal elections.

PARTISAN
An election where the candidates must be a nominee of a recognized political party or otherwise qualify.

UNAFFILIATED
Choice to not register with a political party.