MORE INFO

Three good reasons for you to vote

  1. Your vote can make a big difference in who wins a local election.
    How just one person voted − or didn’t vote − determined the winners in over 30 North Carolina cities in 2021. Your vote matters!
  2. The City Council makes decisions affecting nearly every part of your life −
    affordable housing, police conduct, new jobs, parks, street repair, transit, neighborhood zoning. But you decide who wins!
  3. Listen to what other voters say about why they’re voting . . .

“. . . too many of my ancestors died for me not to be using my right to vote.” – Kristen Marion

“. . . city elections can be very close, so my one vote could have a big impact.” – Angelica Robles

“. . . it’s not just about who’s president. Who runs local government directly affects me.” – Austin Padilla

“. . . I want someone in city hall fighting for issues important to our community.” – Robert Dawkins

What does the board of alderman do?

The Mayor and the other six members of the Board of Aldermen make a wide range of decisions affecting your life. They hire and supervise the city manager, who hires the police chief and other department heads, who all report to the manager. The Board sets policies and priorities and oversees the many functions of local government, including:

  • The Police & Fire Departments • Zoning & Building Code Enforcement
  • Economic & Community Development • Affordable Housing
  • Anti-Discrimination Ordinances • Recreation, Parks & Arts Programs
  • Tax Rates & the City Budget • Water & Waste Disposal
  • Streets, Sidewalks & Road Repair • City Govt. Employee Wages & Benefits
  • Historic Preservation • Appointments to Boards & Committees

In this May’s election, you may also pick the Democratic or Republican candidates for county, state and federal offices who should advance to the November ballot.

This 2022 voter guide

Democracy NC and Common Cause, which are not affiliated with any candidate or party. It has responses from candidates and vital info about the voting process. For more information, call the Craven Co. Board of Elections at 252-636-6610 or the Election Hotline at 888-687-8683. Two useful websites are NCVoter.org and NCVoterGuide.org.

Where to vote early, April 28-May 14

Best Choice! Take advantage of evening, weekday and weekend hours to vote early. You can also register to vote during Early Voting.

NEW BERN AND CRAVEN COUNTY EARLY VOTERS

4 locations are open weekdays (Mon.-Fri.), April 28-May 13, 8 am-7:30 pm; and two Saturdays, May 7 and May 14, 8 am-3 pm:

  • County Board of Elections office, 406 Craven St., New Bern
  • Cove City Fire Department, 425 S. Main St., Cove City
  • Vanceboro Fire Department, 375 NC Highway 43, Vanceboro
  • Havelock New Beginnings Ministry of Faith, 30 Park Lane, Havelock

Preview all the choices on your entire ballot at ncvoter.org/your-ballot-and-precinct
Questions? Call 888-OUR-VOTE (888-687-8683) or visit NCVoter.org

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Adapted from voter guides by Democracy NC & Common Cause.