SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Election Day polls opened for municipalities in the tri-county region Tuesday with a head start on early voting numbers increasing compared to 2023.
READ MORE: 2025 Voting Guide: New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender county municipalities
In New Hanover County, 12,431 people turned out during the 2025 early-voting window compared to 8,082 during 2023’s municipal race. New Hanover GOP Party Chair John Hinnant attributes it to both the Republican and Democratic parties assiduously working to prompt voters to the polls.
The Northeast Library took the lead with 5,675 voters during early voting, followed by the Senior Resource Center attracting 4,326, CFCC bringing in 1,581 and Carolina Beach’s location topping out at 849.
Municipal elections traditionally turn out less votes than midterm or presidential years, despite voters being affected more directly by decisions made in their local government. In 2023, for instance, only 11% of voters cast ballots in the New Hanover County municipal elections — which includes Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. That’s compared to 73.5% last year, to encompass the presidential, congressional, state Senate and House, and local commissioner and school board races.
The Democratic Party chair for New Hanover County, Jill Hopman, factored population growth and competitive races into the escalated municipal voting numbers countywide. Hopman said she expects “razon-thin” margins after polls close at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“Now on the ground for six hours, turnout is up,” Hopman said. “We had 3,000 voters today by 10:30 a.m.”
In addition to the parties’ campaigning, Hinnant points to policy issues and an uptick in property crime in Wilmington as potentially compelling more people to the polls.
“Plus, we’ve had a tax increase 3 of the last 4 years and all we have to show for it is a shiny high-rise office tower,” he wrote in a text to Port City Daily, referring to the new city hall in downtown’s former PPD building, which council voted spending $68-million to move into. “I think 2023 was a swing to the left election. I think voters want better balance on the city council, in an effort to restore some common sense.”
New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple was at the Cape Fear Community College polling place Tuesday, casting his ballot for a Democratic ticket, though who exactly he kept close to the vest. Zapple said he was impressed by the slate of Wilmington candidates, both Democratic and Republican — though municipal elections are traditionally nonpartisan.
On the ballot this year for mayor is incumbent Bill Saffo facing off against two challengers — Jonathan Barfield and candidate Billy Craig. The council also has three seats up for grabs, with incumbents Luke Waddell and Clifford Barnett facing challengers JC Lyle, Cassidy Santaguida, Kelly Roberts, Richard Collier and Chakema Clinton-Quantana.
“Overall, in the 11 years I’ve been in office, I’ve never met anyone who, as an elected official, didn’t start out without the right ideals in mind,” Zapple said. “Everyone wants to do the right thing, but we all just have different ideas on how to get there. … And anyone who runs for office — even those I disagree with — I admire. It’s so difficult to go through the process.”
Gardner Goodall, new to the area, was at CFCC to cast his first city election ballot. He cited disappointment in learning about how many council members are real estate agents.
“As an environmentalist, I really hate to see our coastal area destroyed by development,” Goodall said. “I hate to see the urban sprawl and destruction of our natural environment. I want to see responsible development.”
Thomas Temoney was dismayed by the town’s cost of living, particularly with home prices and rent escalation. He said when he left the area in 1966, the population was around 45,000 and the average national home price was $20,000. Today, Wilmington has more than 127,000 people, with the average cost of a home priced at $460,000 and a one-bedroom rental apartment coming in at $1,400 a month.
“These elected officials need to make us part of the growth of this place,” Temoney said, expressing disappointment as he thinks locals are getting overlooked as new residents, some with deeper pockets, move in.
Brunswick County
Across the bridge in Brunswick County, early voting statistics also are elevated. According to the Brunswick County Board of Elections, around 4,407 people turned out this year — almost half more than the 2,222 that early voted two years ago.
Leland, the largest town in Brunswick County, has led with the most voters so far, casting 1,205 ballots during early-voting. Shelley Allen, the chairman of the Brunswick County Democratic Party, said a rise in voter numbers in towns like Leland and Southport is as much about contentious local issues as it is for people expressing frustrations with higher offices — such as “MAGA Republicans in Raleigh, Washington, and here at home.”
“These off-year elections are well known for providing an early indication of the national mood,” she said. “Voters have been closely monitoring their elected officials, and now, for the first time since last year, they’re getting the opportunity to respond at the ballot box. It’s democracy at its best.”
Bill McHugh, who is seeking another bid on Leland’s Town Council, was greeting voters at the Leland Cultural Arts Center on Tuesday. After having been to four other polling locations, he said a line had formed earlier around the LCAC building.
“It’s been pretty steady,” McHugh said, noting he felt good about his campaign but also anxious for the “long election cycle” to conclude. A Democrat, McHugh said if he wins he plans to continue pushing forth a flooding zone ordinance he proposed last year, addressing tree protection, and “tightening” zoning ordinances.
Overdevelopment was raised by constituents at many polls, across all municipalities. Republican voter Patty Sinnott, who cast a straight party ticket, thought the amount of units being constructed was getting out of hand.
“We have more than enough rentals, apartments, homes,” Sinnott said. “In the beginning sales were high, but not so much anymore. … I know, personally, a friend of mine, from where I’m originally from up north, knew about Waterford. That was strange to me — that realtors are seeking people not even in this state to move here. It’s crazy.”
The size of Leland’s budget concerned voter Chris Kouros, who called it “way out of proportion” when compared to larger cities and communities: “I felt the need to come in and express my concerns as a result of that.”
Janet and Avery Nye were at LCAC to support Republican candidate Leland Hyer.
“We were very impressed that one particular person came to our home and anyone that takes the time to come to do that, we should take the time to come vote,” Janet said, adding it’s everyone’s civic responsibility. “If you don’t vote, don’t bitch.”
In Southport, early voting welcomed 208 people, according to the numbers. Damon Matson was casting her ballot at Southport Elementary School Tuesday, perturbed with the “in-fighting” she has seen in the local government recently.
“We need some of the old guard back on the aldermen board,” Matson said, noting she has voted in every municipal election as a Southport resident and filled in the circle for Nelson Adams. “We are starting to lose the character of our city.”
Adams lost his seat on the board in 2017 and again when he ran in 2019, falling behind Lowe Davis and John Allen. He is running against Paul Gross and Bonnie Bray in ward 2, while ward 1 contenders include Robert Carroll, Karen Mosteller, David Miller and Mike Crosbie. Three seats are open on the board.
Two military voters, Jasmin and Don McKenzie, cast their first in-person vote since serving the nation and moving across the world for 20 years. The McKenzies relocated to Southport a year ago and showed support for Crosbie, an unaffiliated candidate.
“Mike is very community-minded,” Jasmin said. “I have a feeling he will do well for Southport.”
She and Don said Crosbie welcomed them and other newcomers into the fold, encouraging them to get involved in the community.
“Southport, it’s an interesting small town,” Don said. “And we are here voting today because we want to have a voice in the small town.”
Husband and wife Eric Hoffman and Amy Stafford agreed. They have seen first-hand how an election can be swayed by literally one vote.
The 2023 Southport mayoral campaign between then Mayor Joe Pat Hatem and current Mayor Rich Alt came down to two votes after a recount. Alt won.
“People need to look at that and say: It can happen,” Eric said, noting his support Tuesday was for Alt in the Hatem rematch, which has garnered more attention in recent weeks over an alleyway debacle. “I think he’s done a good job in the first two years he was mayor. Giving him a chance for two more years, he will do a better job.”
Pender County
Pender County has the largest early voting increase among the three counties — by more than 300%. 2023 had 240 early voters compared to this year’s 987, according to Gregory Jackson, the Pender County Board of Elections director.
Andy Pleil, who is running for Surf City Town Council, said turnout on Election Day also has been “fantastic.” Pleil is facing off against incumbents Hugh Cannady and Jeremy Shugarts, as well as Jillian Rodrigues de Miranda.
Wanda Wills cast her ballot for Pleil, mainly because of how outspoken he has been against Surf City’s recent 30% tax increase.
“There are people on fixed incomes in this community,” Wills said. “Pleil has the energy and commitment to get out there and try to make a difference.”
Alex Arab is running for Topsail Beach commissioner against incumbents Tim Zizack, John Best and Nancy Thomason. He said he has done door-to-door knocking this election season and spoke to people one-on-one, which has proven the most rewarding. Arab was even invited to a couple’s marriage ceremony.
“I couldn’t make it,” he said with a laugh, “but I am more in touch with the voters and residents than I would’ve been had I not decided to run … It’s been a lot of hours, but I’ve gained from it, with neighbors I’m closer to and more friends. I didn’t expect that.”
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