Candidate filing resumes Feb. 24
Jan. 13—LENOIR — Candidate filing for North Carolina's 2022 primary elections, as well as rescheduled municipal elections, will resume 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 24th and will end at noon on Friday, March 4th, under an order issued this week by the Superior Court of Wake County.
The order by a three-judge panel upheld state legislative and congressional district maps being challenged in redistricting-related lawsuits.
"State Board of Elections staff will immediately begin preparing for the continuation of the candidate filing period, including securing a location to ensure the health and safety of staff and candidates," said Karen Brinson Bell, State Board executive director. "We will provide all details to the public as soon as possible at NCSBE.gov and through an announcement distributed to the media."
Meanwhile, a separate court order on Tuesday, Jan. 11th ordered the suspension of the consideration of any challenges to candidates for U.S. House, N.C. House, and N.C. Senate, until final resolution of the litigation in the redistricting cases, North Carolina League of Conservation Voters v. Hall. Such a challenge was filed against a congressional candidate on Monday, Jan. 10th, and the State Board was planning to appoint a panel to hear that challenge during a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 12th, as required by state law. In accordance with the court's order, the State Board canceled its meeting, and consideration of that pending challenge is postponed until resolution of the redistricting cases.
County and municipal candidate filing will also resume on Feb. 24th and will take place at the county board of elections offices.
The original filing period began noon on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, but was suspended by court order at the end of the day Wednesday, Dec. 8.
According to Chad Barnes, director of elections, the filing interruption did not cause any confusion, but he does not yet know how it will impact the number of candidates who file.
"The folks that have filed, nothing's changed, they don't have to come and refile," he said.
In Caldwell County, 10 candidates have filed their names for election.
Sarah G. Koenig and Kam Harmon filed for seats on the Caldwell County Board of Education. Four seats are up for election on the school board.
Alan C. Jones filed for reelection for the sheriff's office.
Randel Scot King filed for the Superior Clerk of Court seat, which is currently held by Angela Kidd. Kidd is seeking reelection.
Michael LaBrose and Donald Potter both filed for reelection for seats on the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners.
Destin Hall filed for reelection for the NC House of Representatives District 87.
Randy Church also filed for the Caldwell County Clerk of Superior Court seat.
Gonzalo Vasquez filed for the Caldwell County Commissioners seat.
Right now, there remains one seat for the N.C. Senate 45th and 47th districts, one seat for the U.S. Congressional District 11, and one seat for the U.S. Senate.
The Caldwell County Board of Elections office is located at 120 Hospital Avenue in Lenoir. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Residents can contact the Board of Elections by calling 828-757-1342 or by visiting caldwellcountync.org/elections.
