Voter Guide: Durham, North Carolina City Council Candidates

The municipal primary election in Durham, North Carolina will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. This election will give Durham voters the chance to select the candidates who will move on to the Nov. 7 general election. Four positions are up for election: the mayor and three at-large city council seats. This voter guide will answer voters’ key questions about the race for city council in Durham:

#1: Who is running for city council in Durham?

Twelve candidates are running for the three available seats on Durham’s city council. Here are the names of all 12 candidates, in alphabetical order:

• Nate Baker

• Shanetta Burriss

• Javiera Caballero

• J.J. Campbell

• Waldo Fenner

• Bonita Green

• Monique Holsey-Hyman

• Shelia Ann Huggins

• Khalilah Karim

• Carl Rist

• Sherri Zann Rosenthal

• Renee Vaughan

Of these 12 candidates, two are incumbents, meaning they already serve on the city council: Javiera Caballero and Monique Holsey-Hyman. Three of the candidates, meanwhile, are GoodParty.org certified: J.J. Campbell, Shelia Ann Huggins, and Sherri Zann Rosenthal. Being GoodParty.org certified means that these candidates have committed to run truly non-partisan, clean campaigns, and they have pledged to live up to a high standard of transparency and accountability.

#2: How is Durham’s city council elected?

Durham’s city council is made up of seven council members: the mayor, three at-large council members, and three council members who each represent one of Durham’s three wards. At-large city council members are elected by the entirety of Durham, rather than by an individual ward. The office of mayor and the three at-large council seats are up for election this fall. 

All 12 at-large candidates will be able to receive votes during the October primary. Then, the six candidates who get the most votes will move onto the November general election. The results of the general election will then determine who fills the three at-large seats on Durham’s city council.

#3: How do I vote in Durham’s primary election?

Voting in Durham’s primary election is a simple process. Here are three easy-to-follow steps to get ready for election day:

1. Check your voter registration status. You can check your status here. If you are already registered to vote, you’re all set! If not, you may still be able to vote in the October primary using same day voter registration. Learn more about registering to vote in Durham here.

2. Find your polling location and make a plan for election day. You can find your polling place here. Make a plan for whether you would like to vote on election day, or whether you would rather participate in early voting. On election day, Oct. 10, the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early voting for Durham’s primary election runs from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7. Learn everything you need to know about early voting in Durham here.

3. Make sure to bring a photo ID with you to vote. Whether you vote on election day or during early voting, be sure to bring an accepted form of photo identification with you. This can be your North Carolina driver’s license or one of several other options. You can see the full list of acceptable forms of ID here.

It’s as easy as that! Voting is a great way to make your voice heard and express your opinion about the future of Durham.

#4: Where can I find more information about Durham’s city council candidates?

To be an informed voter, it’s important to research your candidate options ahead of time. Here are some great resources for learning more about the Durham city council candidates:

• GoodParty.org’s Independent Voter Guide: Explore GoodParty.org’s voter guide to learn about the three GoodParty.org Certified candidates for city council in Durham: J.J. Campbell, Shelia Ann Huggins, and Sherri Zann Rosenthal. Click on each candidate’s profile to read up on their top policy priorities, background, and reasons for running for office.

• Video Coverage from INDY Week: Reporters from INDY Week took a walk downtown with each of the candidates running for city council. Watch the videos to learn how each candidate answered questions about policy in Durham.

• The 12 Candidates at a Glance: Read The Chronicle’s brief descriptions of all 12 candidates’ backgrounds and main talking points.

• Candidate Websites: Search for the candidates’ websites to learn what they have to say about their own backgrounds and policy priorities. Pay close attention to the issues that matter most to them.

#5: How else can I get involved in Durham?

If you’re planning on voting in Durham’s primary election, you’re already a champion! But if you want to go even further in making an impact, GoodParty.org has some great options for you. 

GoodParty.org’s team members and volunteers will be hosting live events around the Bull City all the way up to election day, rallying excitement for the primary and sharing voter information. You can get involved by signing up for updates on these fun events — and then either volunteering or just showing up and grabbing a drink! Either way, you’ll be making a difference in your community and getting the chance to connect with others who are also ready for change.

To learn more about Durham’s upcoming elections, check out our full walk-through of frequently asked questions here.

Photo Credit: Noah Pederson on Unsplash