Early Voting for Durham City Elections Begins Thursday

A general election that will provide the city of Durham with new leadership begins Thursday, with early voting at four sites. Election Day is Nov. 7.

The election will bring a new mayor to Durham for the first time in two decades as long-time incumbent Bill Bell is stepping down.  The two mayoral candidates -- Farad Ali and Steve Schewel  -- both have Duke connections: Ali serves on the Board of Trustees for the Durham County Hospital Corporation, which oversees Duke Regional Hospital; Schewel is a Duke alumnus who is a visiting assistant professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy.

Three Durham city council races are also on the ballot.

Early voting site are at the Board of Elections office, 201 N. Roxboro St.; the NC Central School of Law, 640 Nelson St.; South Regional Library, 4505 S. Alston Ave.; and North Regional Library, 221 Milton Road. Hours can be found here.

In addition, municipal races are on the ballot in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Morrisville and other local cities. A Board of Elections FAQ provides answers to most common voting questions.

Duke policy allows university employees scheduled time off with or without pay to vote during working hours.  Time with pay can be granted for up to two hours with payment occurring through vacation or the Short-Term Bank for the purpose of voting in local, municipal, state or national elections.  (For more on the policy, click here.)

Employees are also reminded that as a non-profit, tax-exempt entity, Duke must abide by federal and state laws prohibiting the use of its facilities, services or personnel to promote or support individuals or organizations campaigning for public office.  These laws prohibit Duke University, and any of its related entities, from contributing to or supporting political candidates or parties.  The restrictions on political activity do not apply to any employees acting as individuals on their own time and using personal resources.