North Carolina

North Carolina, why are we voting so blasted early? | Tom Campbell

Published

2 years ago

February 25, 2024

North Carolina, why are we voting so blasted early? | Tom Campbell

Tom Campbell
| My Spin

Can you remember when elections were contests where candidates expressed their political philosophies, told us what they would do if elected and campaigns were civil? I can’t either.

It won’t be long until the March 5 primary election. Some have already voted early instead of having to walk through the gauntlet of political do-gooders handing us propaganda. Is it fair to ask why we are voting so dang early when the General Election isn’t until Nov. 5?

In attempting to solve one problem our legislature created a larger one. The problem, admittedly a big one, was that North Carolina had no real voice in selecting the presidential nominees. By the time we got around to our primary elections in May, the nominees had been decided. We had no voice and no choice. This was unacceptable. But the real problem was not the date of our vote but the selection process itself.

Not so many years ago, when political parties had a genuine reason for being, parties initiated the nomination process first at the county level, then at the state convention. State party conventions named delegates to the national convention, instructing them to back a “favorite son” candidate. The national conventions were great entertainment, often filled with suspense about who would win the presidential nomination. Surrogates for the candidates buttonholed delegates and met with state delegations, pleading for support. Impassioned orators made speeches on the convention floor, states cheered for their picks and roll call votes of the states sometimes lasted long into the night. We, the public, viewed on wall-to-wall television coverage. It felt like we were part of the process.

But there was always the accusation that nominees were chosen in smoke-filled rooms by party bosses. More transparency and open participation was demanded. What evolved is a “beauty contest” primary system, where early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire (no national bellwethers) had too much influence on picking nominees. This isn’t a good process either.

Our legislators’ solution to the problem was to move our primaries from their traditional first Tuesday in May to what is now ridiculously labeled “Super Tuesday.” We’ve barely digested our Thanksgiving dinner before candidates have to file in December to run in March. This is truly March madness.

So how’s that workin’ out for us? With the possible exceptions of Nikki Haley and that Kennedy guy, everyone else on planet earth knows the two presidential nominees will be Joe Biden for Democrats and Donald Trump for the cult. We aren’t even paying attention to elections in early March.

With the outcome at the top of the ticket already known, it remains to be seen how many voters will be motivated enough to vote. In the 2022 primary elections only 19.8 percent (1 in 5) registered voters did so in the off-year primary, compared to 31.9 percent in 2020. Just 51 percent showed up for the ’22 general election, a shameful comparison to the 75 percent who voted in 2020.

Whoever wins the primary has eight months before the Nov. 5 general election. There’s no way you can sustain momentum for that long, so campaigns go dormant, focusing instead on raising money. Consultants tell us that direct mail, TV and radio ad costs have risen to outrageous levels. It is estimated that our 2020 gubernatorial campaign cost some $70 million dollars total for the primary and general election. Projections are this year’s will exceed $100 million. That’s a lot of money to spend when half or less of our 7.3 million voters will likely participate – $14 or more per voter.

There is no United States Senate race this year, but all 14 congressional seats are up for election. Currently we have seven Republicans and seven Democrats in our delegation, but the latest round of redistricting was intentionally drawn by Republicans to produce a 10 to 4 plurality for their tribe. Five incumbents chose not to stand for re-election and the 6th, 8th, 10th, 13th, and 14th district seats will elect new representatives. Our elections could determine who controls Congress.

Of our 10 Council of State offices there are six open seats for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, auditor and labor commissioner. The remaining four will face election challenges.

There is one Supreme Court and one Court of Appeals seat up for election in 2024. All 120 members of the NC House of Representatives, which has a current ratio of 72 Republicans to 48 Democrats, and there are 17 open seats as a result of redistricting and retirements. In our 50-member Senate there are six open seats in a chamber that currently has 30 Republicans and 20 Democrats.

The point should be clear. Despite the early primary date, these elections are important. With so few expected to vote your voice could play a big role in our state’s future.

Go vote!

Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina Broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965. His weekly half-hour TV program, NC SPIN aired for 22 ½ years. Contact him at tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com.

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North Carolina

Families locked out of NC State graduation ceremony: ‘Ridiculous’

Published

8 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Families locked out of NC State graduation ceremony: ‘Ridiculous’

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A graduation ceremony for NC State University’s Department of Biological Sciences at Reynolds Coliseum on Friday night left hundreds of family members outside, frustrated and emotional after they were not allowed into the building.

Inside, graduates were met with pomp and circumstance as they walked across the stage to accept their degrees.

Outside, people shouted in confusion as they realized they would not be permitted to enter.

“I’m hurt. She’s hurting. We’re hurt,” said Dr. Darlene Jackson, a grandmother from Winston-Salem. “They’re asking, can’t we get here? But this is ridiculous. Ridiculous.”

We get here, and we are turned away. That’s BS. It shouldn’t be happening like this. They did not plan this well,

– Sally Charlet, NCSU grandparent

Families said they arrived about an hour before the 7:30 p.m. ceremony, only to find a line wrapped around the building. Many said they were eventually told the venue had reached capacity.

“They are saying the fire marshal shut it down because it’s too crowded,” Jackson said. “They should have known how many occupy this. They should have had it in a different place.”

Sally Charlet said she flew in from Florida earlier in the day to watch her granddaughter graduate.

ALSO SEE | Donor surprises NCSU textile school grads by paying off loans

“We get here, and we are turned away,” she said. “That’s BS. It shouldn’t be happening like this. They did not plan this well, and they should have tickets. That would have made a lot of sense.”

According to GoPack.com, Reynolds Coliseum seats about 5,500 people.

Some families said they were especially devastated after years of supporting their students’ work.

This is awful, and it needs to be made right.

– Eddie McFall, NCSU parent

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“It’s very disheartening,” said Rhonda Bartone, whose son earned his Ph.D. In toxicology. “He did a five-year program getting his Ph.D., and we have no family. And they’re seeing him get his Ph.D. right now. We had to text his professor and ask him to please take some pictures of him. It’s hard not to cry.”

Several people outside shared photos sent by students inside showing empty seats.

“There was unfortunately not better planning for the hundreds of students, maybe even thousands of students, and, of course, thousands of students, even more people, parents, siblings, loved ones,” said Julia Norton, whose fiancé earned his Ph.D.

One father, Eddie McFall, who is also an alumnus of NC State, said he has three children at the university, including a senior graduating Friday.

“His mother was five feet from the door when they shut it down,” he said. “Won’t let anybody in there.”

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About 45 minutes after the ceremony began, someone came outside to address the remaining crowd. Families were told their only option was to watch a livestream from the student union or on their phones.

“I can go to my house and watch the livestream,” McFall said. “Who’s the event coordinator? Who from the school did this? This is awful, and it needs to be made right.”

NC State did not respond to questions about how the situation unfolded or why the event was not ticketed. The university said it provided a livestream for those unable to attend in person and had posted earlier in the week advising visitors to expect delays around the coliseum.

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North Carolina

Fifteen North Carolina co-op lineworkers help electrify rural Guatemala village

Published

20 hours ago

May 8, 2026

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Fifteen North Carolina co-op lineworkers help electrify rural Guatemala village

NORTH CAROLINA — Fifteen lineworkers from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives recently traveled to Guatemala to help bring first-time access to electricity to a rural village.

The group spent three weeks working in El Plan Nuevo Amanecer.

Crews constructed three miles of line, bringing power to more than 50 homes, a school, two churches and the community’s only health clinic.

Photo: North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

Without access to bucket trucks or heavy machinery, volunteers worked by hand across rugged terrain.

The project helped bring light to the village, creating new opportunities for education, economic growth and safer everyday life for the community.

The effort was done alongside NRECA International.

Volunteer lineworkers represented several North Carolina electric cooperatives, including EnergyUnited, Union Power Cooperative, Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, Jones-Onslow EMC, Edgecombe-Martin County EMC, South River EMC, Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation and Rutherford EMC.

Photo: North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

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North Carolina

NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for May 7, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Thursday, May 7, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 7 drawing

Day: 3-7-3, Fireball: 0

Evening: 3-5-8, Fireball: 9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 7 drawing

Day: 8-1-3-1, Fireball: 5

Evening: 7-1-5-3, Fireball: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from May 7 drawing

10-11-14-19-36

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from May 7 drawing

01-25-31-32-33

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 7 drawing

05-08-21-44-48, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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