Wake County candidates can file to run without leaving their cars due to COVID-19
Wake County candidates can file for elected office this year without having to leave their vehicles.
Monday marked the opening of the filing period for candidates for Wake County school board and Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District — the nonpartisan races that will be on the Nov. 3 ballot. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Wake County Board of Elections is offering curbside registration for candidates this year.
“We wanted to make sure that we created an environment where the candidates could feel safe when they come in to file, not just candidates but our staff,” Gary Sims, director of the Wake County Board of Elections, said in an interview Monday. “We’re fortunate to have the space so why not? There’s no reason not do it.”
Designated parking spaces for candidates have been marked outside the main entrance of the Wake Board of Elections’ Operations Center at 1200 N. New Hope Road in Raleigh. Election staff, wearing personal protective equipment, are ready to hand out paperwork curbside.
Wake County school board member Heather Scott was the first candidate to file Monday. She drove up, accompanied by her husband, Derek.
“I really appreciate what the Board of Elections is doing to make sure that candidates have the option to do curbside,” Scott said. “It looks like everyone is doing everything as safely as possible.”
Social distancing guidelines followed
Candidates still can walk into the Operations Center to register. But only one candidate is allowed in the lobby at a time. If there’s more than one person ready to file, the others will be asked to wait outside spaced six feet apart to ensure social distancing.
Candidates also have the option to file by mail.
All nine school board seats are on the ballot for two-year terms. Candidates have to live in the district they’re running in. Voters can only cast ballots for the district they live in.
The school board oversees North Carolina’s largest school district, which has more than 161,000 students.
One four-year seat for Wake County soil and water conservation district supervisor will be on the November ballot. It’s a countywide race open to any Wake resident.
Soil and water supervisors help landowners manage water, soil, plants, wildlife and other natural resources within Wake County, offering both technical help and financial resources through state and federal programs.
The filing period ends on July 6. Go to http://www.wakegov.com/elections/candidates/Pages/candidate_filing.aspx for candidate filing information.
