Hertford County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
4 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 2 Hertford County races, led by the North Carolina Senate District 1 contest.
By address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Find your districts by addressNorth Carolina Senate District 1Melissa Zehner (D) · Jerry Tillett (R)
Melissa Zehner Democratic
- Increasing teacher pay and
- Opposes directing public education funds to private school vouchers
- Addressing affordability of groceries, healthcare and childcare
Per the campaign site.
About Melissa Zehner
Melissa Zehner is a Democrat running for North Carolina Senate District 1, covering ten counties in northeastern North Carolina. She grew up in rural Farmville, Virginia, the daughter of a public school teacher and small business owner, and is a mother of two children who attend public schools, per her campaign site. Zehner now lives on the Outer Banks and previously worked in Minor League Baseball management before becoming a stay at home parent, per her campaign site.
Jerry Tillett Republican Incumbent
- Restore accountability in state government
- Strengthen coastal communities
Per the campaign site.
About Jerry Tillett
Jerry Tillett is a Republican representing North Carolina Senate District 1, covering Bertie, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Tyrrell counties. He was appointed to the seat on September 3, 2026, per the North Carolina General Assembly.
Melissa Zehner (Democratic), Jerry Tillett (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Jerry Tillett is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageNorth Carolina House District 5Sam Davis III (D) · Bill Ward (R)
Sam Davis III Democratic
- Supports lowering costs for working families
- Supports strong public schools
- Supports increased investment in rural communities in District 5
Per the campaign site.
About Sam Davis III
Sam Davis III is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District 5, representing Camden, Gates, Hertford and Pasquotank counties. Davis serves as a Pasquotank County Commissioner and previously ran for Congress in the early 2000s, per the campaign site.
Bill Ward Republican Incumbent
Bill Ward is the Republican incumbent for North Carolina House District 5, representing Camden, Gates, Hertford and Pasquotank counties, per the North Carolina General Assembly. Ward is retired from law enforcement and served in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1985 and in the Army Reserves from 1985 to 1990, per the North Carolina General Assembly. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Sam Davis III (Democratic), Bill Ward (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Bill Ward is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (a second primary is held only when no one reaches 30 percent plus one); unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
North Carolina nominees were set by the March 3 primary; a candidate clearing 30 percent plus one avoids a second primary, and unopposed nominees still print on the November 3 ballot, per the State Board of Elections.
Who is on the ballot in Hertford County, North Carolina on November 3, 2026?
Hertford County sample ballot 2026: see where the north carolina senate and north carolina house candidates stand on schools and the budget. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in North Carolina?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are listed on the North Carolina election hub. North Carolina election hub →
How do I see my exact Hertford County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
North Carolina statewide racesEvery North Carolina race on this county's ballot.All North Carolina ballot measures3 statewide ballot measures