You’re voting on these ballot measures in the Triangle and NC. Here’s what they mean
Voters in the Triangle will decide on a variety of bond referendums on the ballot during the upcoming election.
Use this guide to learn more about referendums on ballots across Wake, Durham, Orange, Johnston and Chatham counties. Triangle voters won’t see all of these referendums, as they are location-specific. Check out your county and/or town to dig into the ballot measures you’ll see, and go deeper with The News & Observer’s in-depth reporting on each bond referendum.
Remember, you can see what your ballot will look like before you head to the polls.
NC Constitutional Amendment
North Carolina voters will decide whether to amend the state’s constitution to only allow U.S. citizens who are 18 or older to vote.
Voters can vote “for” and “against” the referendum, which would change the voter eligibility language in the state constitution.
The state constitution currently says that “every” person born in the United States or naturalized can vote. The amendment, if passed, would replace that wording to say that “only” a U.S. citizen can vote, The News & Observer previously reported.
Whether it passes or not, it would still be unlawful for a noncitizen to cast a ballot in federal and state elections.
Wake County
Wake County voters will decide on a $142 million bond for improvements to local libraries.
Potential projects include building two new community libraries, expanding the Fuquay-Varina branch, replacing the Athens Drive and Wendell branches and renovating seven branches. If approved, construction on these projects could begin as soon as 2026.
The 2024 bond would cost $2.50 per $100,000 of assessed property value. A homeowner with a house valued at $462,000, the county’s median, would see an annual increase in their county tax bill of $11.50.
Cary
Cary voters will have two bond referendums on the ballot this year: $560 million to finance park and recreation projects, and $30 million to fund housing projects.
Park projects would include the construction of a two-acre Asian garden, the addition of up to 30 pickleball courts at Cary Tennis Park and a $150 million multi-purpose center in western Cary with basketball courts, an indoor playground and more.
Funds for housing projects would be used to assist residents with lower incomes across Cary through new housing opportunities and preservation of affordable housing.
The property tax rate, currently 32.5 cents per $100 of assessed property value, would increase by 9 cents over about seven to 10 years.
City of Durham
Durham residents will have the chance to vote on a $200 million referendum that will improve streets, sidewalks and parks in the city. The referendum will appear as two separate questions on the ballot.
The $115 million would be used to repair roads, pave dirt streets and build new sidewalks.
The remaining $85 million would be used to upgrade Long Meadow and East End parks, plus it would add a new water park next to the Wheels Roller Rink at Merrick-Moore Park.
The bond would up the city property tax rate a maximum of 3.45 cents per $100 of assessed value, starting in 2026 and slowly dropping off over the following 20 years. On a median home in the city, valued around $244,539 last year, that would add about $84 to the annual tax bill of about $3,411.
Zebulon
Zebulon has a $20 million bond to fund streets and sidewalks on the ballot this year.
The bond would fund enhancements to North Arendell Avenue, including added lanes and medians, and the construction of a roundabout at the Pearces Road and Proctor Street intersections.
If approved, bond funds will be combined with grants from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to share the cost of the construction projects.
Residents can expect an increase of $42.30 per $100,000 of assessed value, which would be $153.17 for a home valued at $362,000, roughly the median value in Zebulon.
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill voters will decide if the town can borrow up to $44 million in bonds for affordable housing, public facilities, streets and sidewalks, parks and recreation facilities, and open space and greenways. Here’s a cost breakdown:
Affordable housing: $15 million to construct new affordable housing, preserve existing affordable housing, or acquire property to be used for affordable housing.
Public facilities: $15 million to replace two fire stations.
Streets and sidewalks: $7.5 million to expand sidewalk connectivity near schools and transit.
Parks and recreation facilities: $4.5 million to replace the artificial turf on the playing fields at Homestead Park, replace the climbing wall at Community Center and build a splash pad or pickleball courts.
Open space and greenways: $2 million to construct the Bolin Creek Greenway extension from Umstead Park to Estes Drive Extension.
Property taxes won’t increase if the bond passes. This is because the town has a debt fund that annually allocates a portion of the property tax rate to pay existing debt services and build future debt capacity.
Orange County
Orange County residents will have the opportunity to vote on a $300 million bond referendum to fund facility replacements, renovations, and repairs for Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS).
The $300 million bond — $480.36 million with interest — would be split between the districts based on enrollment. CHCCS could get $175 million, and Orange County Schools could get $125 million, The News & Observer previously reported.
▪ CHCCS would replace Carrboro, Estes Hills and Frank Porter Graham Bilingüe elementary schools over the next 10 years. It would also make major renovations at Culbreth and Phillips Middle schools.
▪ Orange County Schools would build a new 600-student elementary school, replace Orange Middle School and fund a major renovation and addition to one additional school.
The tax rate could increase up to 3.41 cents per $100 in property value next year, adding $136.40 to the county tax bill for a $400,000 home. More tax rate increases are possible over the next 10 years, for a total projected increase of 8.42 cents per $100 in assessed property value.
Johnston County
Two bond referendums will be included on Johnston County voters’ ballots this year.
▪ A $30 million bond for Johnston Community College (JCC) would fund a new medical campus facility in Clayton and upgrades to public facilities on JCC’s Smithfield campus.
The 120,000-square-foot medical campus will include a virtual hospital, classroom and lab space for nursing and other current healthcare and transfer programs, and provide room for expanded offerings in healthcare. The public safety upgrades will help JCC serve fire, EMS, and basic law enforcement programs.
▪ A $120 million bond for Johnston County Public Schools would upgrade HVAC systems, replace furniture, scoreboards and other equipment, upgrade gym lights and repair bleachers at multiple schools across the district.
There are currently no plans to raise taxes to pay for the bonds.
The N&O’s Kristen Johnson, Tammy Grubb and Mary Helen Moore contributed to this story, as well as correspondent Emily Vespa.
This story was originally published October 29, 2024 at 11:53 AM.
