WHO'S ON THE BALLOT? It depends on whether you are voting in the Republican or Democratic primary. (No, you can't vote in both.) In some contests, both parties have primaries. There are, for example, Democratic and Republican primaries for governor, lieutenant governor and superintendent of public instruction. But while there is a Democratic primary for state auditor, there is no Republican primary. It also depends on where you live. In Durham County, for example, voters in the Democratic primary will choose a candidate for district attorney. There is no district attorney primary in Wake County, though.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES: In addition to Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, Democrats can vote for former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska or for "no preference." Republicans will be able to vote for Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, or former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Alan Keyes, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas or "no preference."

Under state law, the heads of the state Democratic and Republican parties determine which presidential candidates are on the ballot.

CAN YOU VOTE IN EITHER PRIMARY? If you're an unaffiliated voter, yes. But the party you pick today is the one you must stick with for any runoffs. Those registered as Republicans can vote only in the GOP primary, and those registered as Democrats can vote only in the Democratic one.

NOT REGISTERED YET? Sorry, you'll be unable to vote today. If you have registered and poll workers don't have your name listed, first make sure you are at the correct polling place. If you are and they still don't have your name, you can cast what is called a provisional ballot.

CLOSING TIME: Anyone in line when polls close at 7:30 p.m. should be allowed to vote.

NEED HELP? A relative is allowed to help someone vote who has difficulty because of a physical disability, blindness or illiteracy. Curbside voting is supposed to be provided at all polling places for those unable to get out of their vehicles.

WHAT WILL TURNOUT BE LIKE TODAY? That depends in large part on how many unaffiliated voters show up. Gary Bartlett, director of the State Board of Elections, said he expects turnout among Democratic voters to be as high as 50 percent. Republican turnout may be close to 30 percent, based on how absentee and one-stop voting has gone so far.

Bartlett had no idea what turnout will be like among unaffiliated voters, who make up one-fifth of the electorate. Primary turnout has declined in presidential election years over the past 20 years, in part because of the reduced importance of North Carolina in the primary calendar.