Ballot order set after state drawing as Rutherford County fields finalize for 2026

Candidate filing for North Carolina’s 2026 election cycle closed at noon Friday, Dec. 19, finalizing the field for local, state and federal races that will appear on Rutherford County ballots next year.

Following the close of filing, the North Carolina State Board of Elections conducted its legally required random drawing and coin flip to determine ballot order for statewide and legislative contests. The board drew the letter “F,” then flipped a coin that resulted in reverse alphabetical order. As a result, candidates’ names will appear beginning with last names starting with F, followed by E, D, C, B, A, then Z through G.

Under state law, this randomized order applies to statewide and legislative races in both the primary and general elections. Municipal contests are exempt and will appear in standard alphabetical order. Official candidate lists are available through the state and county boards of elections.

Early voting details

The Rutherford County Board of Elections announced early voting for the 2026 primary will run from Feb. 12 through Feb. 28. Voting locations include the Board of Elections Office at 145 College Ave., Suite C, in Rutherfordton, and Isothermal Community College at 286 I.C.C. Loop Road in Spindale. Voters are encouraged to review details on the county's website.

Local races on the Rutherford County ballot

Rutherford County Board of Commissioners

• District 1 (Republican): Jim Owens, Anthony Morrow, Brian Thompson, Clark Poole, Allen Hardin

  
  

• District 4 (Republican): Jason Toney, Adam Yelton

  
  

• District 5:

  • Democratic: Phil Burney

  • Republican: Scott Haynes, Lazarus “Laz” Margolin, Chris St. Clair

    
    

Rutherford County Board of Education

• District 1:

  • Democratic: Douglas Morales, Erica Carson Davenport

  • Republican: Joshua Millwood, Brandi Edney Nanney

    
    

• District 2:

  • Democratic: Tikisha “Kisha” McDowell

  • Republican: Kala Suttle, Baylee Short

    
    

• District 3:

  (Republican): April Mayse, Tonja Caldwell Pratt

  
  

Countywide offices

• Sheriff (Republican): Aaron Ellenburg, Jamie Dunn, Jason Ray Wease

• Clerk of Superior Court (Republican): Steve Owens, Kandy Keyser Hoyle

  
  

Judicial and prosecutorial races

• District Attorney, District 41 (Republican): David Norris Jr., Ted Bell

• District Court Judge, District 41 Seat 1 (Republican): Robert Martelle, Andrew LaBreche

• District Court Judge, District 41 Seat 2 (Republican): Michelle McEntire

• District Court Judge, District 41 Seat 3 (Republican): Ellen Shelley

  
  

State legislative contests affecting Rutherford County

• N.C. Senate District 48:

  • Democratic: Doyle Brown Jr.

  • Republican: Tim Moffitt

    
    

• N.C. House District 111:

  • Democratic: Jerry Blake

  • Republican: Paul Scott

    
    

• N.C. House District 113:

  • Democratic: Mason Rhodes

  • Republican: Mike Hager, Jake Johnson

    
    

Ballots will also include statewide contests for U.S. Senate and multiple judicial offices. Read the full list here.

Absentee ballots for the 2026 primary are scheduled to begin mailing Jan. 12. Voter registration closes Feb. 6. Early in-person voting runs Feb. 12–28, with Primary Election Day on March 3, 2026. If a second primary is required, it will be held on May 12. The general election is set for Nov. 3, 2026.

Candidates who wish to ensure their contact information is included in future coverage may email Annie@WCABNews.com.