Local News
Voters once affiliated with certain NC political parties to be moved to unaffiliated status
On Tuesday, June 24, the political party affiliations of about 34,000 North Carolina voters registered with four parties — Constitution, Justice for All, No Labels, and We the People — will be moved to unaffiliated status in the state’s voter registration database.
When the 2024 general election was certified by the State Board, the Constitution, Green, Justice for All, No Labels, and We the People parties were no longer recognized as official parties in North Carolina because they failed to meet thresholds required by state law. Specifically, candidates for these political parties failed to receive at least 2% of the total vote for governor or president last November. [See Termination of status as political party (N.C.G.S. § 163-97); “Political party” defined; creation of new party (N.C.G.S. § 163-96); Political party formation, termination, and reinstatement (08 NCAC 01 .0107)]
Although the Green Party candidates for president and governor did not receive enough votes in 2024 for the party to keep its recognition in North Carolina, it was again recognized as a political party because the State Board determined at its meeting Thursday that the party had a presidential candidate on the general election ballot of at least 70% of the states in 2024. Voters may continue to register with the Green Party.
However, any other prospective parties that wish to obtain recognition under state law may submit petitions signed by N.C. registered voters totaling 0.25% of the total number of voters who voted in the contest for governor in the 2024 general election, including at least 200 signatures from three N.C. congressional districts.
“New voters and voters who update their registrations are no longer able to affiliate with the Constitution, Justice for All, No Labels, or We the People parties,” said Sam Hayes, executive director of the State Board of Elections, in a press release. “These parties may be recognized again if they meet the requirements for a political party as specified in state law.”
Recognized Parties in NC
Today, the four recognized political parties in North Carolina are the Democratic Party, the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Republican Party. Voters also may register as unaffiliated (no party).
In North Carolina, in a partisan primary election, voters affiliated with a political party may only vote their party’s ballot and may not vote in another party’s primary. For example, a registered Republican may only vote in the Republican Party primary. This remains true even if the party you are affiliated with does not have a primary.
Unaffiliated voters may choose any one political party’s ballot or a nonpartisan ballot (if available) in a primary election.
In a general election, voters may vote for the candidate(s) of their choice, regardless of party.
For more information on political parties in North Carolina, see Choosing Your Party Affiliation.
All voters may check their registration status here: Voter Search.
To learn more about registering to vote in North Carolina, visit: Registering.
N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles customers may register or update their registration online here: NCDMV | Voter Registration Application.
Contributed article.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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