Election 2026: Know Before You Go

By Dave Vieser – It’s a relatively quiet election locally this year. None of the town positions in Cornelius, such as mayor or town commissioner, are up for election until next year.

However, a U.S. Senate seat from North Carolina is on the ballot, along with several county and state representatives and three constitutional amendments, one of which was strongly opposed by Cornelius officials.

Here’s information on the candidates and amendments. For brevity, we have omitted the many judicial positions also on the ballot.

U.S. Senate

Former Gov. Roy Cooper (D) is running against Michael Whatley (R). Whatley has never held elected office but has held several political positions, including chairman of the Republican National Committee. Cooper served as governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025.

Whatley has primarily focused on crime, illegal immigration and the economy. Cooper has centered on affordable living and working across the aisle.

The race has drawn national attention because the result could affect the partisan balance of the U.S. Senate. Incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis chose not to seek reelection.

U.S. House of Representatives District 14

Lakesha Womack (D) is running against incumbent Tim Moore (R).

Moore serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the Budget. His campaign has revolved around fiscal responsibility. He previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives, including 10 years as speaker.

Womack has not previously held elected public office and has two decades of experience in financial services and small-business development.

N.C. Senate District 37

Incumbent Vickie Sawyer (R) is seeking reelection against Raygan Angel (D).

Sawyer chairs the Senate Transportation Committee and has focused on transportation infrastructure, conservative principles and education.

Angel is a law student and Democratic organizer. He has never held elected public office.

N.C. House District 98

Incumbent Beth Helfrich (D) is being challenged by John Rhodes (R).

Helfrich was elected to the state House in 2024. Republicans finished the 2024 election with 71 of the House’s 120 seats, one short of the three-fifths majority needed for a veto-proof supermajority. Helfrich was one of the Democratic candidates elected that year.

She has emphasized communication with residents during her first term and an emphasis on responsible growth, education and public safety. Rhodes, a former Cornelius town commissioner and state representative, has focused on roads and transportation, cost of living and public safety.

Mecklenburg County offices

County Board of Commissioners: Leigh Altman (D), Yvette Townsend-Ingram (D) and Arthur Griffin Jr. (D) are all running unopposed for three at-large seats. Morris “Mac” McAdoo (D) is running unopposed for commissioner in District 1.

Clerk of Superior Court: Elisa Chinn-Gary (D) is running unopposed.

County sheriff: Garry McFadden (D) is also running unopposed. He won a four-way Democratic primary earlier this year. No Republican candidate is on the general-election ballot.

Constitutional amendments

Amendment 1 would require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.

Amendment 2 would keep the state income tax rate from being raised higher than 3.5%.

Amendment 3 would require limits on property tax increases by local governments. Cornelius commissioners adopted a resolution opposing the measure earlier this year, arguing it would reduce local control and make it more difficult for towns to fund essential services.