Dobson, North Carolina Public Records

The registration deadline is 25 days before any election, though same-day registration during early voting is available for those who miss that cutoff. Voters must provide their North Carolina driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering. The Town of Dobson holds municipal elections for mayor and town commissioners on a schedule set by town ordinance; the most recent election was in November 2023, with the next scheduled for November 2027. The town operates under a mayor-council form of government with a mayor and four-member board of commissioners serving four-year staggered terms. Because this is a small municipality, local ballot measures and candidate information are typically published in the Mount Airy News newspaper and posted at Town Hall. Residents can find their assigned polling location by using the Voter Search tool at www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-person/find-your-polling-place by entering their name and date of birth or using the county precinct finder. Surry County operates multiple precincts; those living in Dobson typically vote at the Dobson Fire Department or Surry County Government Center depending on their residential precinct assignment. Under North Carolina law, voter registration lists are public records available for purchase by political parties, candidates, and certain other requesters through the county Board of Elections; however, birth dates, driver's license numbers, and Social Security numbers are redacted from public versions. Campaign finance reports for candidates in North Carolina state elections are filed with and searchable through the State Board of Elections online database at www.ncsbe.gov/campaign-finance. Candidates for local municipal offices in the town file reports with the Surry County Board of Elections. Election results by precinct are posted online after certification at both the county and state election websites. In the November 2024 presidential election, Surry County recorded approximately 34,500 registered voters with turnout of roughly 65-68%, consistent with Surry County's historically Republican voting patterns in presidential contests. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature critical races for North Carolina voters including all 14 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, all 120 seats in the North Carolina House of Representatives, all 50 seats in the North Carolina State Senate, and numerous Surry County offices including County Commissioners, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, and Board of Education members. The U.S. Senate seat held by Thom Tillis is not up for election in 2026 (his term expires in 2027). There is no gubernatorial race in 2026 as North Carolina elects governors in presidential years; the next governor's race will be in 2028. North Carolina voters may request absentee ballots through the county Board of Elections beginning 60 days before an election; applications are available at www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail or from the Surry County Board of Elections office. Completed absentee ballot request forms must include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID. Voted ballots must be returned by mail or in person to the Board of Elections office by 7:30 PM on Election Day, with postmarks not accepted for late ballots.