Your 2026 Voting Guide: What’s on the Forsyth County Ballot

Christy Bellis

October 12, 2026

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. If voting feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Between different districts and offices you may not have heard of, it’s easy to feel unsure about what you’re even voting on.

While state and federal races tend to get the most attention, local races are just as important. The people elected to your county commission, school board, and city council make decisions that shape your daily life, from school funding and property taxes to road repairs and public safety. These races are often decided by a small number of votes, so your voice can carry real weight.

Your ballot will include only the races for the districts you live in. You can see your exact ballot on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

Click here for a more visual representation of the information below courtesy of Women of Action.

October 12, 2026

Federal Elections

U.S. Senate: The Senate has the exclusive power to confirm presidential appointments, ratify treaties, and conduct impeachment trials. They serve 6-year terms. One is open because Thom Tillis is retiring.

Roy Cooper (D), Michael Whatley (R), Shannon W. Bray (L), Michael Dublin (G)

U.S. House: Representatives write federal laws, and spending bills must start in the House. They serve 2-year terms. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are on the ballot this November. Winston-Salem and Forsyth County residents are represented across two districts: 6 and 10.

6th District (a slice of eastern and southern Forsyth): Addison McDowell (R, incumbent), Cyril Jefferson (D)
10th District (most of Forsyth County): Pat Harrigan (R, incumbent), Ashley Bell (D), Steven Feldman (L)

State Elections

State Courts

NC Supreme Court Associate Justice: The state’s highest court has seven justices (one chief justice and six associate justices). It has the final word on North Carolina law and the state constitution, including cases about voting maps, schools, and elections. NC Supreme Court Justices are elected to 8-year terms. One seat is up for election this year.

Seat 1: Anita Earls (D, incumbent), Sarah Stevens (R)

NC Court of Appeals: This court reviews trial court decisions for legal errors, and most appeals in the state end here. Judges serve 8-year terms. The NC Court of Appeals has 15 judges, and three seats are up for election this November.

Seat 1: John S. Arrowood (D, incumbent), Michael C. Byrne (R)
Seat 2: Toby Hampson (D, incumbent), George Cooper Bell (R)
Seat 3: Christine Marie Walczyk (D), Craig Collins (R)

Why do judges have party labels?
The General Assembly added party labels back to judicial races in 2016–2017, after more than a decade of nonpartisan contests. Supporters say labels give voters useful information. Critics say they politicize the courts.

Our Take: Research each judicial candidate, whatever your political affiliation. A party label won’t tell you about a candidate’s experience or qualifications, or how they’ve ruled in the past.

NC General Assembly

The General Assembly includes the NC Senate and NC House: The state legislature writes state laws, passes the state budget (which covers teacher pay, roads, and Medicaid), sets state tax rates, and draws election district maps. Other issues: Gun laws, abortion, school policy, etc. Members serve 2-year terms.

NC Senate: All 50 seats in the North Carolina Senate are up for election this November. Winston-Salem and Forsyth County residents are represented across two Senate districts: 31 and 32.

District 31 (Stokes County plus the parts of Forsyth surrounding Winston-Salem): Dana Caudill Jones (R, incumbent), Andy Bowline (D)
District 32 (central Winston-Salem): Paul Lowe, Jr. (D, incumbent), Peter Antinozzi (R), Keenen Altic (G)

NC House: All 120 seats in the North Carolina House of Representatives are up for election this November. Winston-Salem and Forsyth County residents are represented across five House districts: 71, 72, 74, 75, and 91. Amber M. Baker (D) is running uncontested in District 72.

District 71 (southern Winston-Salem): Kanika Brown (D, incumbent), Mathew Mena (G)
District 72 (central Winston-Salem): Amber M. Baker (D, incumbent), unopposed
District 74 (western Forsyth): Jeff Zenger (R, incumbent), Amy Taylor North (D)
District 75 (southern and southeastern Forsyth): Donny C. Lambeth (R, incumbent), Jen Wiles (D)
District 91 (Stokes and northern Forsyth): Kyle Hall (R, incumbent), Lucille Puckett (D)

County Offices

Forsyth County District Attorney: The district’s chief prosecutor, who decides which criminal charges to pursue, what plea deals to offer, and which cases go to trial. The DA also controls the criminal court calendar. The District Attorney in each prosecutorial district is elected to a 4-year term. District 31 covers all of Forsyth County.

Jim O’Neill (R, incumbent), Amara M. Hunter (D)

Forsyth County Sheriff: The Forsyth County Sheriff leads the county’s chief law enforcement agency, enforcing state and federal laws, patrolling unincorporated areas, managing the jail, providing courthouse security, and serving civil processes across the county. The sheriff serves a 4-year term.

Bobby F. Kimbrough (D, incumbent), Ernie Leyba (R)

Forsyth County Board of Commissioners: The Board adopts the annual county budget, sets the county property tax rate, establishes county policies, and acts on zoning and other land use matters. Other issues: decides funding for county services (schools, parks, libraries, social services, animal shelters.

The Board also appoints members of numerous citizen boards, committees, and commissions. The Board of Commissioners is composed of seven members elected to staggered, 4-year terms. The Board includes one at-large seat, two seats from District A, and four seats from District B. In the 2026 midterm, the at-large seat, both District A seats, and one District B seat are up for election. Find your district by checking your voter information.

At-Large (countywide): Dan Besse (D, incumbent), Terri Mrazek (R)
District A (mainly east Winston-Salem; vote for 2): Tonya McDaniel (D, incumbent), Shai Woodbury (D, incumbent), Contessa Smith (R)
District B (the rest of the county, vote for 1): Marsie West (D), Chris Parker (R)

School Board: The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools board hires the superintendent and approves the school budget, including where to spend or cut. Other issues: school policy such as resource officers and the school calendar and curriculum recommendations.

The Board includes three at-large seats, two seats from District 1, and four seats from District 2. Find your district by checking your voter information or viewing the school board district map.

At-Large (vote for 3): Valerie Brockenbrough (D), Elisabeth Motsinger (D), Ronda Mays (D), Michael Quinones (R), Jason Lucero (R)
District 1 (vote for 2): Trevonia Brown-Gaither (D, incumbent), Alex B. Bohannon (D, incumbent), Mike Klinetobe (R)
District 2 (vote for 4): Curtis Fentress (D), Susan Conway (D), Lee Childress (D), Marie Jackson (D), Allen Daniel (R), Jill Nelson Berlin (R), Robert Barr (R, incumbent), Bob Weiss (R)

Clerk of Superior Court and District Court Judges: This year, the Superior Court seat and all four District Court seats are uncontested.

Also on the Ballot

Forsyth Soil & Water Supervisor: This nonpartisan position oversees local programs for farmland conservation, erosion control, and water quality. Three members are elected, and two members are appointed. Vote for up to two.

Toby Bost (incumbent), Mark D. Apple (incumbent), Andrew Kepins, Salvet Kalu, Betsy Johnson

Three Constitutional Amendments: (vote “For” or “Against”)

Photo ID: This would extend the constitution’s photo ID requirement, which now covers only in-person voting, to every method of voting, including mail-in.
Income tax cap: The amendment would lower the North Carolina Constitution’s maximum allowable state income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%. Therefore, the state government would be prohibited from increasing the state income tax rate above 3.5% without voter approval of another constitutional amendment
Property tax limit: The amendment would require the state legislature to pass laws limiting the maximum amount that property taxes may increase.

Also on Some Ballots

Rural Hall Mayor and Town Council: These officials run town government, including the budget, zoning, and local services. Only Rural Hall residents vote in these races.

Mayor: Terry M. Bennett (R), Susan Hawks Gordon (U), Sebastian Jimenez-Barreras (U)
Council (vote for 2): Amanda Johnson-Anthony (D), Mark Lane (R), Michael Woodcock (U)