AGP Executive Report

Campaign Turmoil: Libertarian state Senate candidate Jonathan Miller was arrested after an hourslong armed standoff with Cary police, following social media posts that raised concerns he might harm himself. Election Watch: Early voting is outpacing the 2018 and 2022 midterms in Wilkes County, while the closely watched U.S. Senate contest between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley draws national attention. North Carolina voters will also decide three proposed constitutional amendments, including measures affecting state income-tax limits and local property-tax revenue. State and Local Policy: Charlotte extended its pause on new data center projects for another year as leaders await state rules. Gov. Josh Stein has signed a temporary state gas-tax suspension aimed at easing costs. Courts and Consumers: A proposed settlement would set aside up to $1.5 million for people wrongly arrested or detained because of North Carolina’s eCourts software errors, pending a judge’s approval. North Carolina is also among 20 states suing Dollar General over alleged price-labeling practices that led shoppers to pay more at checkout.

Senate Battleground: Democrat Roy Cooper appears positioned to challenge Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina’s closely watched Senate race. The GOP has pulled back spending, and retiring Sen. Thom Tillis has played little role in Whatley’s campaign. Early Voting: North Carolina has seen more than 1.5 million early votes, with voting up sharply from 2022. Election officials caution that the surge doesn’t predict the final result. Ballot Watch: Mail-ballot rejection rates are rising under new rules, and Gov. Josh Stein has raised concerns. Voters are also deciding on three proposed constitutional amendments. Election Oversight: The SBI is investigating after the Anson County elections office was found unlocked after polls closed. Asheville Budget: City officials are preparing for possible service cuts next year as rising costs and slow revenue growth squeeze the budget.

Ballot Questions: North Carolina voters face three amendments Nov. 3: extending the constitutional photo-ID requirement to all voting methods, capping income taxes and limiting property-tax increases. State law already requires ID for mail ballots; the tax proposals would leave key details to lawmakers. Voting Access: The New Hanover NAACP urged Sunday and early voting at its “Souls to the Polls” event in Wilmington. Early voting ends Oct. 31. Mail-ballot rejections under new rules are also drawing scrutiny, including hundreds reported in Mecklenburg County. Judicial Races: Voters will choose one state Supreme Court justice and three Court of Appeals judges. The appellate court’s current 12-3 Republican majority could shift, and close contests may turn on a few hundred votes. Election Oversight: Gov. Josh Stein has appealed a ruling on the state auditor’s authority to appoint election board members, as the auditor takes a more prominent role in election oversight.

Voting and Ballot Rules: Early voting continues across North Carolina, with turnout reported above 2022 levels. Rising absentee-ballot rejections under new rules and conflicting voter-ID deadline information are adding to voter confusion. Voters are also weighing three proposed constitutional amendments, including measures involving tax control and voter ID. Senate Race: Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 10 points in one poll, and CNN ranks North Carolina as Democrats’ likeliest Senate pickup. State Power: Treasurer Brad Briner has joined the defense of a law shifting a Utilities Commission appointment from Gov. Josh Stein to the treasurer. Stein argues the change gives lawmakers too much influence; the state Supreme Court is set to hear related disputes next month. Coastal Recovery: Stein declared an emergency after storms damaged NC 12, as transportation officials pursue relief funds and plan ferry service between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe.

Early Voting: North Carolina had accepted more than 1.2 million early ballots by Oct. 22, up 37% from the same point in 2022. Democratic and unaffiliated turnout rose faster than Republican turnout, though the numbers do not predict Election Day results. Ballot Rules: A federal judge has let the state’s new absentee-ballot rules stand as concerns persist over rejected ballots. Senate Race: Roy Cooper campaigned in Greensboro, pitching affordability and criticizing Republican Michael Whatley’s support for policies Cooper says have raised costs. Redistricting: North Carolina’s reshaped 13th District illustrates how map changes are turning once-competitive House seats into safe partisan territory. Voter Fraud Charges: Federal officials say 10 noncitizens were arrested in North Carolina on allegations of illegally registering and voting; the charges have not been proven in court.

Election 2026: North Carolina early voting has topped 1.1 million ballots, with strong turnout reported across the state. Federal authorities say 10 foreign nationals were arrested on allegations of illegal voting. Election Oversight: State Auditor Dave Boliek is taking a higher-profile role in election oversight, while Gov. Josh Stein appeals a law letting the auditor appoint county election board members. A federal judge has left new absentee-ballot rules in place. Senate Race: Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 13 points in a recent Elon University poll, as Whatley and national Republicans campaign to narrow the gap. Outer Banks: Stein declared an emergency after storms damaged N.C. 12, renewing concerns about access to barrier-island communities.

Voting Rules: North Carolina’s early vote has topped 1.1 million, but new absentee-ballot requirements are drawing scrutiny. A federal judge let the rules stand; Wake County reported a 3.5% rejection rate, with more than half of rejected ballots flagged for an unsealed inner envelope. On the Ballot: Voters will decide constitutional amendments on voter ID, income-tax limits and state authority over property taxes. Outer Banks: Gov. Josh Stein declared an emergency in Dare and Hyde counties after storms damaged N.C. 12, cutting road access and prompting a request for federal repair aid; emergency ferries are operating with limited capacity. Local Transparency: A letter about data-center proposals says Halifax County officials signed confidentiality terms requiring company approval to release some records, raising questions about public access and oversight.

Voting: North Carolina’s early-vote total has topped 1.1 million, including more than 65,000 ballots in the Cape Fear region. At the same time, hundreds of absentee ballots have been rejected under new rules, prompting warnings that voters should cast ballots in person. Senate Race: Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley are making a final push across the state as polls show a competitive race, with one recent survey giving Cooper a 10-point lead. Camp Lejeune: Trump’s warning that toxic-water victims could lose settlement funding if Republicans lose the midterms drew pushback from advocates and lawmakers; Whatley says families should be paid. State Government: Gov. Josh Stein has taken the fight over the state elections board appointment to the state Supreme Court. Legal aid groups are also suing legislative leaders over the redirection of funds meant to support services for low-income North Carolinians.

Early Vote: More than 1.1 million North Carolinians voted in the first week of early voting, up 38% from the same point in 2022. Democrats account for 43% of ballots cast so far, unaffiliated voters 34% and Republicans 22.5%—though party turnout patterns could shift by Election Day. Ballot Access: Gov. Josh Stein urged voters to cast ballots in person as mail-in rejections rise under new rules; hundreds of Mecklenburg County ballots have reportedly been rejected. Students at NC A&T also marched to polls after their on-campus voting site was removed. Key Races: North Carolina’s judicial contests could hinge on just a few hundred votes, while voters will decide three proposed constitutional amendments. Camp Lejeune: President Trump said federal payments to families affected by toxic water depend on Republicans winning the midterms, tying relief for victims to the election. Data Centers: Rowan County residents and environmental groups are pressing for a statewide development pause and limits on passing energy expansion costs to customers.

Ballot Measures: North Carolina voters face three constitutional amendments: extending photo-ID requirements to all voting methods, capping the state income-tax rate at 3.5%, and limiting property-tax increases. Local leaders warn the property-tax measure could constrain city and county budgets. Mail Voting: Gov. Josh Stein urges voters to cast ballots in person as rejection rates rise under new rules. Early Turnout: Watauga County counted 6,334 early votes after five days, up 37% from the same point in 2022. Senate Race: An Elon University poll gives Democrat Roy Cooper a 13-point lead over Republican Michael Whatley. President Donald Trump has also tied Camp Lejeune settlement payments to a Republican election win, drawing anger from survivors. Jobs: Gov. Stein announced US Conec’s $149.7 million Hickory expansion, expected to create 224 jobs.

Early Voting: North Carolina ballots cast are up more than 30% from the same point in 2022, part of a national surge in key Senate states. Mail Ballot Dispute: Gov. Josh Stein urged voters to cast ballots in person, warning new rules are driving more rejections. The elections board says preliminary rejection rates are only about half a percentage point above 2022; a federal judge has let the rules stand. Senate Race: Donald Trump rallied in Greenville for Republican Michael Whatley, attacking Roy Cooper and linking Camp Lejeune settlements to a GOP win. An Elon poll puts Cooper 13 points ahead, while a major Republican campaign group has pulled spending from the race. UNC Settlement: UNC-Chapel Hill agreed to end 18 federal civil rights investigations, including probes into antisemitism and racial discrimination. The deal includes race-blind admissions and mandatory antisemitism training.

Midterm Campaign: President Donald Trump rallied in Greenville for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley and congressional candidates, attacking Democrat Roy Cooper over prisoner releases and promising military families’ Camp Lejeune settlements only if Republicans keep Congress. An Elon University poll puts Cooper 13 points ahead of Whatley. Voting: North Carolina’s early-voting turnout is running ahead of the 2022 midterms. Gov. Josh Stein urged voters to cast ballots in person, citing higher mail-ballot rejection rates under new rules; a federal judge declined to block those rules. UNC Settlement: UNC-Chapel Hill agreed to race-blind admissions, new civil-rights reporting and antisemitism training to resolve federal investigations. The university admitted no wrongdoing and will pay no penalty. Local Taxes: Buncombe County commissioners oppose a proposed state constitutional amendment that could limit local governments’ property-tax authority, warning it could constrain funding for services and recovery from disasters.

Senate Race: Donald Trump rallied in Greenville for Republican Michael Whatley, attacking Roy Cooper over pandemic-era prisoner releases and Hurricane Helene response. An Elon poll puts Cooper 13 points ahead; Trump also announced a $1.5 billion semiconductor manufacturing effort in North Carolina. Campaign Stakes: Trump said Camp Lejeune water-contamination claims would be settled only if Republicans win both chambers, drawing a sharp rebuke from Gov. Josh Stein. Voting Rules: A federal judge left North Carolina’s new absentee-ballot restrictions in place. Early voting is running well ahead of 2022, while the deadline to request an absentee ballot passed Tuesday; voters can still vote in person. House Races: Democrat Jamie Ager and Republican Jennifer Balkcom are making a final push in competitive NC-11. A new Balkcom ad featuring her mother’s alleged shooting of an intruder has drawn attention, though reporting found no public record confirming the incident.

Early Voting: More than 733,000 North Carolinians had voted by Monday evening, up 38% from the same point in 2022. Democratic and unaffiliated turnout surged, while Republican turnout dipped nearly 5%. Senate Race: A final Elon University poll gives Roy Cooper a 13-point lead over Republican Michael Whatley, 52% to 39%, among likely voters. Absentee Ballots: A federal judge declined to block North Carolina’s new mail-in ballot rules, which require ballots to arrive in properly sealed envelopes and meet signature checks. Helene Recovery: The state will receive $873 million in federal aid for storm-damaged roads and bridges, addressing damage at more than 9,000 sites. UNC Settlement: UNC-Chapel Hill reached an agreement ending 18 federal civil-rights investigations without admitting wrongdoing or paying a penalty; it must adopt required policies and report on compliance through 2028.

Absentee Ballots: A federal judge declined to block North Carolina’s new mail-ballot rules, including sealed-envelope and signature checks, saying voting is already underway. Midterm Campaigns: JD Vance rallied for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley and House candidate Jennifer Balkcom in Hendersonville on Monday. President Trump is set to campaign for Whatley in Greenville Tuesday as Democrat Roy Cooper holds a fundraising and polling advantage. Early Voting: Turnout is surging in parts of the state: Watauga County counted 4,071 voters through Monday, 42% above the same point in 2022. UNC Settlement: UNC-Chapel Hill agreed to close 18 federal investigations into alleged discrimination and antisemitism. The deal requires antisemitism training and compliance oversight, but no payment or admission of wrongdoing; the university retains federal funding eligibility.

Early Voting: North Carolina’s first weekend brought 485,531 early voters, or 6.67% of registered voters including absentee ballots. Participation is up from 2022, but the Republican share is lagging previous midterms. Forsyth County voters must request mailed absentee ballots by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance is expected in Hendersonville as national Republicans step up campaigning across the Carolinas. Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley have cast early ballots in the closely watched U.S. Senate race. Ballot Questions: Voters will decide on three constitutional amendments: caps on property-tax increases, photo ID requirements for all voters and a 3.5% income-tax ceiling. Supporters call them safeguards; critics warn they could constrain local services and future lawmakers. Other Races: North Carolina’s Supreme Court contest and competitive legislative and congressional races are also drawing attention as voters weigh in.