2022 elections Coverage

Editorial: Deniers are silent as election workers toil to assure honest vote

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 -- On Jan. 8, 2023 N.C. listed 7,413,909 voters on registration rolls. Eight weeks later, there are 7,219,097 voters listed. What happened to those 200,000 voters? Why aren't the election deniers up in arms? Why aren't our legislative leaders, who have been quick with criticism of state election administrators, offering up outrage? There's a very good reason.

Court clerk thrown out of office argues (again) for re-instatement

The former Franklin County Clerk of Court, who was removed from office by the court in 2020, is trying once again to get her job back.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

Competitive NC Democratic Party chair race brings test for establishment

Bobbie Richardson, who has led the North Carolina Democratic Party since 2021, could be the first chairperson in at least 10 years to run for reelection and lose.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Fact check: Did 'every pro-life governor' win big in midterm elections?

Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tweeted: "Every pro-life Governor up for election in November won -- by a large margin." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Madeline Heim, PolitiFact reporter

Top 7 PolitiFact NC fact-checks of 2022

Local claims about crime and immigration were PolitiFact North Carolina's top-read stories of the year.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Editorial: Act honestly. Enact voter ID laws that don't hurt access to the polls

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 -- Act honestly. Stop looking to discriminate against some voters because of their race, age, economic status, disability or neighborhood. Enact a common-sense law that allows for a variety of forms of photo identification that help people vote honestly, not hinder their access to the polls.

NC elections board to consider removing Surry County elections officials

North Carolina's elections board voted to hold hearings on the potential removal of two Surry County board members who cast doubt on the security and accuracy of the November elections.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

North Carolina elections officials call do-over election after local poll worker wrongly claimed a candidate had died

The North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously ordered a new Dobson town commissioner race to be held in March.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

JAMES LEUTZE: In Georgia, GOP offered unqualified Senate candidate to grab power

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 -- In a race where the Republicans used every device to see him robbed of his dignity, after already reducing the minority vote, Republicans put Herschel Walker forward as a candidate well knowing that he was woefully unqualified. In Trump world this is a qualification.

NC Supreme Court strikes down state Senate map, voter ID law. Republican lawmakers plan to revisit both issues next year

The state court's 4-3 Democratic majority struck down a 2018 voter ID law and also ordered a lower court to modify a Senate map. GOP lawmakers will seek to pass new voting bills next year.

Bryan Anderson and Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporters

Cawthorn faces $193K lawsuit over unpaid legal bills

An Indiana law firm says it hasn't been paid for its legal services in helping the outgoing congressman remain on the North Carolina primary ballot.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

'People are fed up': As NC Democrats reflect on election missteps, a party shake-up is underway

While Democrats in other swing states scored big victories, the party struggled in North Carolina. Political strategists say geography, money and recruiting troubles are to blame.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Cawthorn fined $15K for promoting cryptocurrency, cleared of other ethics allegations

North Carolina U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn was fined by the House Committee on Ethics. He was also cleared of allegations of nepotism and an improper relationship with a congressional staff member.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Fact check: In Georgia, is it illegal to give water to people in line to vote?

A commercial by Liquid Death is warning Georgians against giving water to voters waiting outside polling places to cast their ballots. PolitiFact checks the company's claim.

Tom Kertscher, PolitiFact reporter

Warnock and Walker, at Finish Line in Georgia, Stick to Their Strategies

ATLANTA -- The closely watched rematch between Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Herschel Walker has reached its final hours, capping an intense and turbulent campaign that has prompted debate over issues of race, class and power in a state with a pivotal role in American politics.

Jazmine Ulloa, Maya King and Reid J. Epstein, New York Times

NC on national stage as U.S. Supreme Court hears case that could shift power over elections

North Carolina's redistricting fight will return to the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday, this time with national implications that are hard to predict.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Who will Ted Budd really be working for in the U.S. Senate?

Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 -- When Republican Ted Budd takes his seat in the United States Senate next month who will he be representing? If you say North Carolina, don't bet on it.

Batman, 'Barry-Ann Maldwin' and 'your mom' submitted as write-in candidates in 2022 Raleigh mayoral race

Raleigh voters wrote in 1,262 different names for mayor.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

NC officials unanimously certify midterm election results, report 'tremendous' turnout

More than half of the 7.4 million registered North Carolina voters participated in this year's election. Few voting or safety issues were reported.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

LIZA ROBERTS: What politics divides, art can bring together

Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 -- We share dismay over the issues that divide us. But we also share something constructive, something profound, and something deeply North Carolinian. We share the art of this state.

Closing the door on the 2022 election

Throughout this election season, we've been taking you behind the scenes in our NC Votes 101 series. Canvass day marks the end of that season. It's when counties make their results official, 10 days after Election Day.

NC counties close the books on 2022 elections

Throughout this election season, we've been taking you behind the scenes in our NC Votes 101 series. Canvass day marks the end of that season. It's when counties make their results official, 10 days after Election Day.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Editorial: Thanks NC poll workers! You really are 'Democracy Heroes'

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 -- The 2022 campaign season shouldn't close without a loud shout-out to the more than 20,000 volunteers and part-time hires - "Democracy Heroes" the N.C. State Board of Elections appropriately calls them. This year's election, in particular, was an especially heroic effort given the derision and open animosity election officials and workers faced.

FEC asks Budd, Beasley to explain and return more than $71K in questionable donations

The campaigns of U.S. Sen.-elect Ted Budd and his Democratic opponent, Cheri Beasley, are being questioned about campaign contributions that may have exceeded federal limits.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Why GOP did better in NC than in other states on election day

Republican leaders say last week's election results are evidence North Carolina is trending toward their party

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief