Sunset Beach, North Carolina Public Records

Party affiliation is optional, though voters must affiliate with a party to participate in that party's primary elections. North Carolina law requires acceptable voter ID, including a North Carolina driver's license, non-operator ID, passport, military ID, tribal enrollment card, or student ID from a North Carolina college or university. Municipal elections for mayor and town council positions occur in odd-numbered years each November, with the next scheduled for November 2025 when the mayor's seat and council positions will appear on the ballot. Candidates file with the Brunswick County Board of Elections during the summer filing period, typically mid-July. Residents also participate in Brunswick County elections for county commissioners, school board, sheriff, register of deeds, and other county offices. Polling place assignments can be found through the State Board of Elections' voter search tool at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup, where voters enter their name and date of birth to view registration status, assigned precinct, and polling location. Most residents cast ballots at Sunset Beach Town Hall or nearby facilities depending on precinct boundaries. Publicly accessible election records include voter registration lists (available for purchase for lawful election related purposes), campaign finance reports through the State Board of Elections website showing contributions and expenditures for state and local candidates, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results published after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Brunswick County reported approximately 67% voter turnout with over 92,000 registered voters countywide, reflecting strong civic engagement. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters will decide several significant races: North Carolina's Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other statewide Council of State offices including Attorney General and Secretary of State, as 2026 is a gubernatorial election year; state legislative seats for the North Carolina House of Representatives and North Carolina Senate representing Brunswick County districts; Brunswick County Commissioner seats; Sheriff; Register of Deeds; county school board positions; and potentially municipal offices if the town adjusts its election calendar or holds special elections. North Carolina's Senate seats are up in 2022 and 2028, so the U.S. Senate will not appear on the 2026 ballot. Absentee voting by mail is available for voters who request ballots through the Brunswick County elections office. Applications are available at www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail, and completed ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received within three days) or delivered in person to the Brunswick County elections office by 7:30 PM on Election Day. Early voting, called "One-Stop" voting in North Carolina, is available at multiple sites throughout Brunswick County for approximately 17 days before each election, with extended hours including evenings and weekends. Voters can register and vote simultaneously during early voting. The Brunswick County Board of Elections website publishes sample ballots, early voting locations and hours, election results, and voter information specific to each election cycle.