Wayne County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
21 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 13 Wayne County races, led by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners At-Large (Unexpired) contest.
County offices
Board of Commissioners At-Large (Unexpired)Kevin Johnson (R) · Beatrice Jones (D)
Kevin Johnson (Republican) and Beatrice Jones (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wayne County Board of Commissioners At-Large (Unexpired).
Kevin Johnson Republican
- Protecting farmland and supporting rural communities
- Investing in public safety and fiscal responsibility for taxpayers
- Recruiting jobs and strengthening infrastructure
Per the campaign site.
About Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson is Program Manager for the NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation and previously directed the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office, per his campaign site and the Goldsboro Daily News. He has chaired the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Board and volunteers as a youth soccer coach and church deacon; his son serves in the U.S. Navy, per the Goldsboro Daily News. This is his first run for elected office.
Beatrice Jones Democratic
Beatrice Jones has served on the Town of Fremont's board of commissioners, per Town of Fremont meeting minutes. No campaign website was found for her Wayne County Board of Commissioners run as of September 8, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Beatrice Jones.
This seat became vacant after the death of Commissioner Wayne Aycock; the county board appointed Dr. Joe Democko to serve on an interim basis through December 2026, per the Goldsboro Daily News (1/6/2026). Democko did not file for the seat. Kevin Johnson finished ahead of Jennifer Smith Strickland in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary, per the NC State Board of Elections' certified candidate listing, and faces Democrat Beatrice Jones in the November 3, 2026 general election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
Full race pageClerk of Superior CourtJulie Whitfield (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Julie Whitfield (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court.
Julie Whitfield Republican
Julie Whitfield has worked in Wayne County government for more than 27 years, the last 23 of them in the Clerk of Court's office, per the Goldsboro News-Argus. She was first elected clerk in 2022, becoming the first Republican to hold the office since the 1920s. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the certified candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Julie Whitfield.
Julie Whitfield is unopposed for reelection in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list.
Full race pageSheriffLarry M. Pierce (R) · Reginald (Reggie) Edwards (D)
Larry M. Pierce (Republican) and Reginald (Reggie) Edwards (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wayne County Sheriff.
Larry M. Pierce Republican
Larry M. Pierce is the sitting Wayne County Sheriff, per the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association. He has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience and more than 50 years in the volunteer fire service, including as Deputy Chief of the Belfast Volunteer Fire Department, per his campaign site.
Reginald (Reggie) Edwards Democratic
- Expand the Community Oriented Prevention Education (COPE) program, which teaches students about drugs, violence, peer pressure and gang activity
- Increase prevention of drug- and gang-related crime, particularly through youth intervention
- Build community relationships and transparency, and ensure deputies maintain high ethical and training standards
Per the per the Goldsboro News-Argus.
About Reginald (Reggie) Edwards
Reginald (Reggie) Edwards served as a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper in Wayne County for nearly 30 years, from 1991 through 2019, and has been a first sergeant with the National Guard since 1985, per the Goldsboro News-Argus. No campaign website was found for him as of September 8, 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Reginald (Reggie) Edwards.
Incumbent Larry Pierce won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary over Stephen (Stevie) Howell and Ricky Hooks, per the NC State Board of Elections' certified candidate listing, and faces Democrat Reginald (Reggie) Edwards in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Full race pageDistrict Attorney, Prosecutorial District 9 (Greene, Lenoir, Wayne)Jeff Cannon (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeff Cannon (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 9 (Greene, Lenoir, Wayne).
Jeff Cannon Republican
Jeff Cannon is unopposed for the Prosecutorial District 9 (Greene, Lenoir, Wayne) district attorney seat in the November 3, 2026 general election, having won the Republican primary in March, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the certified candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Jeff Cannon.
Jeff Cannon won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary over Mike Muskus, per the NC State Board of Elections' certified candidate listing, and is unopposed in the November 3, 2026 general election. Current District Attorney Matthew Delbridge did not file for reelection, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' official elected-officials roster.
Full race pageSchool board
Board of Education, District 1Nonpartisan race · Chris West
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chris West is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wayne County Board of Education, District 1.
Chris West Nonpartisan
Chris West is the incumbent Wayne County Board of Education member for District 1 and is unopposed for reelection in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' official elected-officials roster. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the certified candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Chris West.
Incumbent Chris West is unopposed in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Board of education races are nonpartisan.
Full race pageBoard of Education, District 4Nonpartisan race · Bill Joyner
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Bill Joyner is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wayne County Board of Education, District 4.
Bill Joyner Nonpartisan
Bill Joyner is the incumbent Wayne County Board of Education member for District 4 and is unopposed for reelection in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' official elected-officials roster. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the certified candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Bill Joyner.
Incumbent Bill Joyner is unopposed in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Board of education races are nonpartisan.
Full race pageBoard of Education, District 5Nonpartisan race · Dana Vinson Mull
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dana Vinson Mull is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wayne County Board of Education, District 5.
Dana Vinson Mull Nonpartisan
Dana Vinson Mull is running for the open Wayne County Board of Education District 5 seat and is unopposed in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the certified candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Dana Vinson Mull.
Open seat: incumbent Craig Foucht did not file for reelection. Dana Vinson Mull is unopposed in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list and the Goldsboro News-Argus. Board of education races are nonpartisan.
Full race pageBoard of Education, District 6Nonpartisan race · Wade Leatham · Kathy Meyer Larson
Wade Leatham and Kathy Meyer Larson are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Wayne County Board of Education, District 6.
Wade Leatham Nonpartisan
Wade Leatham is the incumbent Wayne County Board of Education member for District 6, seeking reelection in November 2026, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' official elected-officials roster. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the certified candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Wade Leatham.
Kathy Meyer Larson Nonpartisan
- Advocate for every student's safety and well-being
- Improve school facilities and technology access for students
- Support teachers and increase community engagement in schools
Per the campaign site.
About Kathy Meyer Larson
Kathy Meyer Larson is a curriculum writer for Docent Content Group and adjunct faculty at Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary, and previously served as Director of Christian Education and Creative Arts at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, per her campaign site. A Wayne County native and Eastern Wayne High School graduate, she holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern University and a master's degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and is a Spring Creek community parent who has served as her elementary school's PTA president.
Incumbent Wade Leatham faces Kathy Meyer Larson in the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Board of education races are nonpartisan.
Full race pageJudges
North Carolina District Court Judge, District 9, Seat 1Roy A. Dawson (R) · Sonya Davis (D)
Roy A. Dawson Republican
- Make the courtroom a place where people are heard and treated with dignity
- Prioritize preparation, fairness and humility in judicial decision-making
- Improve court accessibility and consistency in proceedings
Per the campaign site.
About Roy A. Dawson
Roy A. Dawson is a trial attorney who has practiced in the 9th Judicial District since 2014, splitting his caseload between criminal and family law, and opened his own Kinston practice, the Law Offices of Roy A. Dawson, P.A., in 2021, per his campaign site. Before law school he worked in manufacturing, die casting, restaurants and food distribution; he earned an associate degree from Alamance Community College and his law degree from UNC School of Law, where he volunteered with the Innocence Project.
Sonya Davis Democratic
Sonya Davis was appointed to the District 9 (Greene, Lenoir, Wayne) district court bench by Governor Josh Stein in 2025, filling the vacancy left by Judge Beth Heath's retirement, per the Office of the Governor. She previously operated her own law practice in Kinston focused on domestic law, real estate transactions and criminal defense, after earning her bachelor's and law degrees from North Carolina Central University. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Sonya Davis.
Roy A. Dawson (Republican) and Sonya Davis (Democratic) meet on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 9, Seat 1. Voters across Greene, Lenoir and Wayne counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Conservation District SupervisorNonpartisan race · Ronald W. Parks · Phil Yelverton
Ronald W. Parks Nonpartisan
Ronald W. Parks is the incumbent chairman of the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District Board and is unopposed for reelection in November 2026, per the county's official board page and elected-officials roster. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Ronald W. Parks.
Phil Yelverton Nonpartisan
Phil Yelverton is an incumbent member of the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District Board and is unopposed for reelection in November 2026, per the county's official board page and elected-officials roster. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Phil Yelverton.
Two seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot (vote for 2); incumbents Ronald W. Parks (chairman) and J. Phil Yelverton (member) are both unopposed, per the Wayne County Board of Elections' certified candidate list. This office is nonpartisan.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Wayne County is split across 2 North Carolina House districts.
Find your districts by addressNorth Carolina House: 2 districtsDistricts 4, 10
North Carolina House District 4Jimmy Dixon (R) · Vernon Moore (D)
Jimmy Dixon Republican Incumbent
Jimmy Dixon is a farmer, per the NC General Assembly. He represents House District 4, covering Duplin and Wayne counties, and is serving his eighth term. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Vernon Moore Democratic
Vernon Moore is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District 4 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jimmy Dixon (Republican), Vernon Moore (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Jimmy Dixon 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 10John Bell (R) · Zyaire Webb (D)
John Bell Republican Incumbent
- Support North Carolina's economy through pro-growth, lower-tax policies
- Make education a top priority and involve parents in decisions
- Support family farms and agriculture producers
Per the campaign site.
About John Bell
John Bell is the sitting North Carolina House representative for District 10, per the campaign site. Bell's site says the focus has been on agriculture, military families and rural communities, per the campaign site.
Zyaire Webb Democratic
- Raise teacher pay statewide
- Raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour
- Increase public school funding in Wayne County
Per the campaign site.
About Zyaire Webb
Webb is a welder who has worked in the trade since age 14 and completed a welding degree while in high school at Wayne Community College, per the campaign site. A Goldsboro native, he graduated from East Carolina University in May, per the campaign site.
John Bell (Republican), Zyaire Webb (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; John Bell 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 Senate District 4Jessica (Jess) Rivera (D) · Buck Newton (R)
Jessica (Jess) Rivera Democratic
- Infrastructure and school funding in eastern North Carolina
- Economic revitalization for working families
- Government accountability
Per the campaign site.
About Jessica (Jess) Rivera
Rivera is a Marine veteran with two combat deployments who transitioned to civilian life as a small-business owner, founding The Garrison Barber and Parlor in downtown Wilson, per the campaign site.
Buck Newton Republican Incumbent
Buck Newton represents North Carolina Senate District 4, covering Greene, Wayne, and Wilson counties, per the NC General Assembly. He is serving his fifth term in the state Senate. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jessica (Jess) Rivera (Democratic), Buck Newton (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Buck Newton 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 Wayne County, North Carolina on November 3, 2026?
Wayne County sample ballot 2026: see where the board of commissioners at-large, county sheriff and board of education candidates stand on schools and jobs. 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 Wayne 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 measuresCandidate roster last updated Sep 29, 2026 from official election sources.