Hays, North Carolina Public Records

North Carolina residents can register to vote online at www.ncdot.gov/dmv through the State Board of Elections' integrated system, by mail using a voter registration application, or in person at the Board of Elections office. The registration deadline falls 25 days before any election under North Carolina General Statute § 163-82.6. Applicants must provide their North Carolina driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, and must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by the date of the next general election, and residents of Wilkes County. As an unincorporated community, the area has no municipal elections for mayor or town council. Residents do vote in Wilkes County Commissioner races, North Carolina state legislative elections, statewide offices, and federal contests. Polling place assignments can be found using the State Board of Elections' voter search tool at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup, where residents enter their name and county to view their assigned precinct and polling location. Local voters typically cast ballots at precincts in the western portion of Wilkes County, with exact locations determined by precinct boundaries established by the Wilkes County Board of Elections. In the November 2024 presidential election, Wilkes County recorded approximately 44,000 registered voters with a turnout rate of approximately 68%, reflecting strong participation in this conservative-leaning county that has historically favored Republican candidates in federal and state races. For the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide several important races. The 2026 ballot will include the U.S. Senate seat (Class III) currently held by Senator Thom Tillis, who will be up for reelection. North Carolina does not have a gubernatorial election in 2026, as the governor serves a four-year term with elections in presidential years. Voters will elect members of the North Carolina General Assembly, including representatives for the State House District and State Senate District that includes the community. County-level races in 2026 will include Wilkes County Commissioner seats, with three of the five commissioner seats elected in presidential years and two in midterm years. Other potential 2026 county races may include Sheriff, Register of Deeds, and various judicial positions depending on the election cycle rotation. North Carolina offers absentee voting by mail for any registered voter who requests a ballot. Absentee ballot requests can be submitted through the State Board of Elections' online portal at votebymail.ncsbe.gov starting 60 days before an election. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail or in person to the Wilkes County Board of Elections by 7:30 PM on Election Day, with ballots postmarked by Election Day accepted until three days after if from military or overseas voters. Early voting is available at designated sites in Wilkes County, typically beginning 17 days before Election Day and running through the Saturday before the election, with expanded hours including evenings and weekends. Extensive election records are public in North Carolina under G.S. § 163-82.10 and § 132-1. Voter registration lists showing names, addresses, party affiliation, and voting history, whether someone voted in specific elections, but not how they voted, are available for purchase from the State Board of Elections for political and research purposes. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are searchable at www.ncsbe.gov/campaign-finance, showing contributions, expenditures, and donor information. Candidate filing information, including candidate names, party affiliations, and filing dates for federal, state, and local offices, is published by the Board of Elections. Precinct-level election results showing vote totals by race and candidate are published after certification at the county and state levels, available at www.ncsbe.gov/results-data and through the Wilkes County Board of Elections.