2022 midterms: Political affiliation and ballots in North Carolina

In the lead up to the midterm elections, voters are focusing on key issues such as inflation and abortion to decide which candidates fit the bill. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll found that GOP support is rising in the final stretch of the campaign this year.

A reader in North Carolina asked USA TODAY whether registered Democrats will be able to vote for only Republicans in this election, or whether their ballot choices will be different than the Republican ballot sheet.

Voters in the same geographic areas will receive the same ballots in the general election, regardless of political party, Patrick Gannon, a spokesperson for North Carolina State Board of Elections, told USA TODAY.

Since voters will receive ballots with the same options, without regard to party affiliation, a Democrat could vote for Democrats – or for Republicans. And a Republican could vote for Republicans – or for Democrats

But every voter in the state will not receive the same ballot style or be able to vote in the same contests as other voters in different parts of the state, Gannon said. Voters are placed in various election districts based on the address on their registration.

Questions about the 2022 midterms?: USA TODAY is here to help

For example, a voter who lives in the 3rd Congressional District will get a ballot with the 3rd Congressional District contest candidates on it. That person will not be able to vote for candidates in any other district in which they don't reside. All voters across the state will have the Senate contest on their ballot because that is a statewide contest.

In North Carolina, Republican Rep. Ted Budd and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat, face off in a highly contested race for Senate.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2022 midterms: Ballot styles in North Carolina