By Nicole Bowman-Layton

Election season is beginning to take shape across North Carolina. While voters still have more than three months before heading to the polls, candidates, campaigns and residents several important election deadlines are fast approaching.

Locally, the Edenton Police Department says it has received numerous calls about campaign signs appearing too early and being placed in public rights-of-way.

Under N.C. General Statute 136-32, campaign signs may not be placed within eligible public highway rights-of-way until Tuesday, Sept. 15, which is 30 days before one-stop early voting begins for the Nov. 3 general election.

Within the Town of Edenton, the public right-of-way includes the grassy strip between the sidewalk and the street. Signs placed in that area before Sept. 15 are considered illegally placed, according to the department.

“As we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation, we’re proud of the freedoms our forefathers fought and sacrificed for,” the department said in a social media post. “Supporting the candidate of your choice is absolutely part of that. We just ask that everyone do it legally and respectfully.”

Police said officers will soon begin removing campaign signs placed too early or within public rights-of-way inside the town limits and will make every effort to return them to the appropriate campaign.

School board races take shape

Four seats on the Edenton-Chowan Schools Board of Education will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Three incumbents are seeking new four-year terms.

Current Board Chairman George Lewis is seeking re-election to the board’s at-large seat. Ricky Browder, who has served on the Board of Education for more than 16 years, is seeking another term representing District 2. Sherronne Battle, who was first elected in 2022, is seeking another term representing District 3.

The only contested race is for District 1, Seat 2, where three candidates are competing to succeed Lisa Perry, who opted not to seek another term after filing for the Chowan County Board of Commissioners seat being vacated by Commissioner Bob Kirby.

Candidates for the District 1 seat are:

• Florence B. Winslow of Belvidere
• Allen Browder of Tyner
• Deanna Daniel of Edenton

The Albemarle Observer plans additional election coverage, including candidate profiles and race previews, as Election Day approaches.

Register to vote by Oct. 9

Residents who are not already registered to vote have until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, to register for the Nov. 3 general election.

North Carolinians may register through their county board of elections, online through the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, by mail or at designated voter registration agencies.

Voters who miss the registration deadline may still register and vote during the early voting period using North Carolina’s same-day registration process at an early voting site. Same-day registration is not available on Election Day.

Residents are encouraged to verify their voter registration information, polling location and voting districts through the North Carolina State Board of Elections at www.ncsbe.gov.

Early voting begins Oct. 15

One-stop early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 15, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 31.

During the early voting period, registered voters may cast ballots at any early voting location in their county of residence.

Oct. 20 is the deadline to request an absentee ballot.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open statewide from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Write-in candidates face Aug. 5 deadline

Individuals planning to seek office as certified write-in candidates must meet an important filing deadline before campaigning.

North Carolina law requires write-in candidates to file a Declaration of Intent and submit the required petition signatures by noon Wednesday, Aug. 5, which is 90 days before the general election. Votes cast for individuals who do not complete the certification process generally are not counted.

Prospective write-in candidates should contact their county board of elections or the North Carolina State Board of Elections for office-specific filing requirements.

Know the campaign sign rules

Campaign signs on private property, with the property owner’s permission, may first be displayed beginning Wednesday, Aug. 5, or 90 days before the general election.

Signs displayed within eligible public highway rights-of-way, however, must wait until Tuesday, Sept. 15, 30 days before early voting begins.

State law requires signs placed within public rights-of-way to:

• Be at least 3 feet from the edge of the pavement.
• Be no larger than 864 square inches (approximately 2 feet by 3 feet).
• Stand no more than 42 inches above the adjacent pavement.
• Be placed only with permission from the adjoining property owner.
• Not be attached to utility poles, trees or official traffic signs.
• Not obstruct motorists’ visibility at intersections, driveways or corners.
• Not be placed in highway medians or along fully controlled-access highways such as interstates.

Campaign signs at polling places may be installed beginning 36 hours before voting starts and must be removed within 36 hours after polls close. Electioneering remains prohibited within the designated buffer zone around polling places.

Campaigns should also remember that roadside campaign signs generally must be removed by Friday, Nov. 13, 10 days after Election Day, unless a local ordinance requires an earlier removal.

For additional election information, including voter registration, absentee voting, polling places and candidate filing, visit www.ncsbe.gov or contact your local county board of elections.

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2026 General Election at a Glance

Wednesday, Aug. 5

• Campaign signs may be placed on private property with the owner’s permission.
• Deadline (noon) for certified write-in candidates to file.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

• Campaign signs may be placed within eligible public highway rights-of-way.

Friday, Oct. 9

• Voter registration deadline.

Thursday, Oct. 15

• One-stop early voting begins.

Saturday, Oct. 31

• Early voting ends.

Tuesday, Nov. 3

• General Election (polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.).

Friday, Nov. 13

Deadline to remove most roadside campaign signs.