2020 Candidate Filing Period Begins Monday (December 2) | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH, N.C.     Voters across North Carolina soon will learn the candidates who will vie for their votes in 2020.

    Candidate filing for most contests in the 2020 elections begins at noon Monday, December 2, and ends at noon Friday, December 20.

    Candidates for the following offices must file their Notice of Candidacy - and pay their filing fee - with the State Board of Elections in Raleigh:

• U.S. Senate
• Statewide offices, including governor, lieutenant governor and other Council of State seats
• State Supreme Court justice and Court of Appeals judge
• District and Superior Court judge
• District attorney

    Because of ongoing litigation over the drawing of North Carolina's 13 congressional districts, filing for candidates for U.S. House has been postponed. Filing for all other contests will proceed as scheduled. The State Board will provide guidance about congressional filing when more information is available.

    Candidates for N.C. House, N.C. Senate and local offices file with their respective county board of elections. For more information about filing, visit the "Candidate Filing" page on the State Board website.

    "The State and County Boards of Elections look forward to working with candidates and voters as we prepare for the important 2020 elections," said Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell.

    During the filing period, a statewide candidate list will be posted to the State Board website HERE. The list will be updated regularly.

    The 2020 primary election is March 3. The general election is Nov. 3.

    For Candidates:

    Prior to filing, candidates should review the "Candidate Filing" page on the State Board's website for information such as candidacy requirements, filing fees and more. Filing fees must be paid by check. Cash and credit cards are not accepted.

    At the State Board office, doors will open to candidates at 10 a.m. Monday (December 2), but filing will not begin until noon. Except for the first and last days of filing, candidates may file at the State Board of Elections from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Once filed, the deadline to withdraw a notice of candidacy is Dec. 17, 2019.

    The State Board office is located on the third floor of the Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603. All visitors must show identification at the front desk and pass through a metal detector upon entering the building. No weapons are allowed.

    Parking is available for visitors in Deck 75, a block down North Salisbury Street from the Dobbs Building. As you pass the Dobbs building on the left, you will see a State Capitol Police Office on the right. You will take the second right after the police office, which will take you directly to the visitors' deck. (Location and Directions)

• Contact: Patrick Gannon
•     patrick.gannon@ncsbe.gov