WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Along with casting votes for candidates running for local, state and federal offices in this November Midterm Election, voters across North Carolina will also decide whether to support county-wide initiatives and potential changes to the state constitution.
Every voter across the state will decide if they are FOR or AGAINST three proposed amendments to North Carolina’s Constitution on their ballot. The amendments need a simple majority (50% plus 1 vote) to pass.
The first proposed amendment will require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in-person, to present photo identification before voting.
The second proposed amendment will keep the state’s income tax rate from being raised higher than 3.5 percent.
The third proposed amendment requires limits on property tax increases by local governments (although the general assembly has not finalized what that ‘limit’ would be).
Voters in two area counties will decide (YES or NO) whether to approve multi-million dollar school bond referendums.
The school bond referendum in New Hanover County totals $325 million dollars and would be used to build several new schools and make security upgrades on many of the current school campuses.
The referendum in Brunswick County is for close to $350 million, which will build a new high school and elementary school, and make safety, land and facility upgrades across other campuses.
There are Sales and Use Tax referendums on the ballots for voters in Bladen and Columbus counties to decide. Both questions ask whether voters approve adding another one-quarter percent tax (0.25%) onto all other local and state Sales and Use Taxes currently in place.
In Bladen County, proceeds would be used to plan, build, equip, and pay off debt for a multipurpose sports and events complex.
In Columbus County, the proceeds would be split between public schools (50%) and emergency serves and public recreation (50%)
Voters in Columbus County will also vote whether to support three other alcohol-related questions:
Unfortified Wine – whether to allow “on-premises” and “off-premises” sale of unfortified wine
Malt Beverage – whether to allow “on-premises” and “off-premises” sale of malt beverages
Mixed Beverage – whether to allow the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theatres and convention centers, and the “on-premises” and “off-premises” sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine in qualified establishments
Referendums and Beverage Elections also need a simple majority (50% + 1 vote) to pass.
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