Primary season is here, and it's one of the most critical times for everyday advocates to make their voices heard. In this episode, Renee and Susan from Save Our Schools NC pull back the curtain on how North Carolina primaries work, especially for the state's growing number of unaffiliated voters.

From understanding "open primaries" to the nuance of "strategic voting," this conversation is designed to move you from feeling overwhelmed by a long ballot to feeling confident in the voting booth. Whether you are looking at local judicial races or major state offices, this episode provides the tools you need to vet candidates and ensure your vote aligns with your values.

In this episode, we discuss:

Navigating the Open Primary: How unaffiliated voters in NC can choose which ballot to pull and the different mindsets behind that choice.
The "Down-Ballot" Dilemma: Why it is vital to research judges and local officials, and how these "quiet" races often have the biggest impact on your daily life.
Vetting Candidates: Practical tips for researching candidates beyond their campaign websites—including looking at who is funding them and what their community reputation is.
The Strategy of the Primary: Should you vote for the most "electable" candidate or the one who most closely matches your ideals?
The Voter's To-Do List: A step-by-step guide to using "Voter Lookup" tools to print your sample ballot and make your decisions before you ever head to the polls.

Key Resources Mentioned:

NC Voter Lookup: Google "voter lookup NC" to find your specific sample ballot.
Save Our Schools NC: Stay connected with Renee and Susan's work at saveourschoolsnc.org.

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Remember: Every seat on your ballot matters. Be curious, do your research, and complete the whole ballot!