Tips for unaffiliated voters

Dome has heard from unaffiliated voters who think they can't vote.

That's not true! Unaffiliated voters not only can vote today, but they have more of a choice than those who have registered as Democrats and Republicans. (And they're a significant force in their own right, making up more than 21 percent of the electorate.)

Here's how it works: At the polling place, you will be asked to choose a ballot. You have three options: Democratic, Republican or nonpartisan.

The Democratic ballot has a lot more competitive races on it, including candidates for president, U.S. senator, governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor, treasurer, labor commissioner, insurance commissioner and superintendent of public instruction.

The Republican ballot has candidates for president, U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor and superintendent of public instruction.

Both ballots will also have N.C. Court of Appeals and local district court judges. In some areas, they may also have Congressional seats on them as well.

You may also request a nonpartisan ballot that will only have the judicial races on it.

In the event of a primary runoff, unaffiliated voters who cast ballots today will be required to stick with the party they chose this time around, but there are no other restrictions after that. It is a public record which party ballot you requested.

If you are unaffiliated and you do not vote today, you can vote in the runoff for either party.