WS Chronicle

Staff Report

The Winston-Salem Chronicle

Voters across Forsyth County are turning out in unusually strong numbers for this year’s primary election, with early voting participation running nearly twice as high as it was at the same point in the 2022 cycle.

New data released by the Forsyth County Board of Elections shows turnout tracking closer to what the county typically experiences during a presidential election year — when interest and participation are traditionally at their peak — rather than a midterm primary.

Election officials point to several factors driving the surge.

At the top of the ballot is a high-profile U.S. Senate contest, a federal race absent from the 2022 primary. Historically, statewide and national offices generate broader engagement, particularly among voters who may sit out local-only election cycles.

But local races are also drawing heightened attention — and for many residents, they may be even more consequential.

Several seats on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education are being decided in highly contested races. The competition comes in the wake of months of public scrutiny and internal challenges that have plagued the school board, including leadership turmoil and community concerns about governance and direction. For families, educators and taxpayers, the primary represents an opportunity to influence the future leadership of a district serving thousands of children.

In addition, multiple seats on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners are also contested this year. County commissioners oversee major decisions affecting public health, social services, funding for schools, and property tax rates — issues that directly shape daily life across Winston-Salem and surrounding communities.

Together, the combination of federal, education and county-level contests appears to be mobilizing voters across party lines.

Early voting began this month and continues through the Saturday before Election Day, which is March 3. North Carolina’s early voting period allows residents to cast ballots in person at designated sites ahead of Election Day, offering flexibility for those balancing work, caregiving or transportation challenges.

This cycle, the county added two additional early voting locations, a move election officials say can reduce congestion and improve access — particularly in areas where residents have historically faced barriers to participation.

Primary elections often receive less attention than general elections, yet they frequently determine which candidates ultimately hold office, especially in districts where one party maintains a strong advantage.

For Forsyth County, the early turnout surge suggests voters understand the stakes.

Updated participation figures are expected throughout the early voting period, providing a clearer picture of whether momentum continues.

For now, the message from polling places across the county is unmistakable: residents are showing up — early — to shape the direction of their schools, their county government and their representation beyond it.