Candidate filing for 2022 elections to resume today

February 24, 2022 | Local News

Candidate filing for the 2022 statewide primary and rescheduled municipal elections resumed today at 8 a.m. and will end at noon on March 4.

On December 8, the N.C. Supreme Court suspended the filing period, which had begun December 6, and moved the date of the statewide primary and rescheduled municipal elections to Tuesday, May 17. The general election is November 8.

Candidates who filed before the suspension of the filing period do not need to re-file if they still wish to run for the same office. However, those candidates may withdraw their candidacy during the new filing period and instead file for any other office for which they are eligible. The deadline to withdraw is the close of business on March 1.

“Choosing to run for an elected office is a major decision,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “We want filing to be a smooth and customer-friendly process for all candidates, and we have strived to create an efficient and safe environment for everyone.”

Depending on the office sought, candidates will file their Notices of Candidacy with either their county board of elections or the State Board of Elections.

Candidates for the following offices will file with the State Board:

U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
N.C. Supreme Court Justice
Judge of the N.C. Court of Appeals
Superior Court judge
District Court judge
District attorney

Candidates for the following offices file with their county board of elections:

N.C. Senate
N.C. House of Representatives
All county and municipal offices

Important: Candidates filing with the State Board will file at the Governor James G. Martin Building, 4381 Trinity Road, Raleigh, located on the N.C. State Fairgrounds. (Note: This is a change in location, as candidate filing in December was held in the Exposition Center, also on the Fairgrounds.)

Candidates, guests, and members of the media should enter the Fairgrounds through Gate 9 on Trinity Road. (See Fairgrounds map.)

State Fairgrounds map showing the Martin Building entrance.

Close-up of the Martin Building entrance.

Because of the smaller filing space at the Martin Building, candidates filing during busy times may be asked to wait outside until it is their time to file.

For candidates filing with the State Board, the following hours apply: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all business days during the filing period, except for Friday, March 4, when filing is open from 8 a.m. to noon.

For filing hours and address for a specific county board of elections, candidates should contact the county board. Contact information is available here: County Boards of Elections Information.

Candidates can find more information at Running for Office.

Filing fees are required for all offices, unless a candidate has submitted a valid petition in lieu of paying a filing fee, and the petition has been certified. For more information, visit Filing Fees.

Once filed, the deadline for a candidate to withdraw a Notice of Candidacy is the close of business on Tuesday, March 1.