Historically, about 2019 data indicates 39 North Carolina cities could have been decided by a single vote, underscoring that near-tie outcomes are not rare.

A North Carolina analysis shows that several 2025 local elections were decided by a single vote, with 36 contests settled by one vote or by margins that could have shifted with a single citizen’s choice.

The piece argues that local officials shape community projects, public health and safety, and taxes, and that these offices can serve as stepping stones to higher political roles.

Illustrative cases include a Jefferson Town Council seat decided by a coin flip, a Whitakers town board race resolved by drawing names from a box, and a Garland tied race decided by chance under state law.

Voter participation matters: in the 2022 midterms, roughly half of registered voters cast ballots, and those who did not vote influenced outcomes as much as voters, with implications reaching national matters.

Looking ahead to 2026, mail-in voting starts January 12 and in-person early voting begins February 12; voters are encouraged to prepare by visiting ncvoterguide.org.

Dozens of local races ended in ties or near-ties, including seven tied mayor or town council races and 15 elections won by a one-vote margin, plus 14 more where a two-vote swing could have altered results.

Beyond local races, a statewide example shows how small margins can influence high-level outcomes: in 2020, Cheri Beasley lost the NC Supreme Court race by 401 votes out of more than 5.5 million cast.