Politics

NEWS 3/12/26 8:48am

Elon SGA hosts executive candidate forum

By Alannah Klingsporn

Students filled Irazú Coffee on March 11 to hear from three candidates who are running for an executive position on Elon’s Student Government Association about what they hope to bring to the student body if elected. The topics discussed included sustainability and the lack of SGA knowledge on campus.

NEWS 3/4/26 12:11am

November elections loom as primary races end

By Miles Hayford

As the 2026 primary elections come to an end in North Carolina, eyes are turning towards November. But for many races, the primary elections are the determining factor in the race, according to Elon University political science professor Jason Husser.

NEWS 3/3/26 11:46pm

Alamance County Board of Elections handles election night returns

By Lily Mosbacher

After polls closed on election night, sealed ballot bags, memory drives, and paper tapes began arriving at the Alamance County Board of Elections office, where officials prepared to count the results.At 8:05 p.m., the first election judge pulled into the parking lot. Within 10 minutes, a line stretched behind them as precinct workers waited to check in provisional ballots and hand over the materials that would determine the night’s outcome.

NEWS 3/3/26 6:49pm

Town of Elon casts votes for election day… or not

By Fiona McAllister

The North Carolina primary election started bright and early when polls opened at 6:30 a.m. and voters cast ballots for their candidates. However, talk of Election Day was quiet in the Town of Elon.Vivian Splawn, Burlington resident and employee at All That Jas, said she was disappointed not to see people in line to vote in the election, as she went to cast her ballot. “It's really sad that there's such a low turnout when you go there and you don't have to wait in line, but that's just how it is,” Splawn said. “And on the bigger ones, sometimes it's like that too.”

NEWS 3/3/26 12:14pm

How unaffiliated voters impact elections

By Alannah Klingsporn

The North Carolina primary election starts today. With some voters being able to vote for a Democratic or Republican candidate, unaffiliated voters will have a different experience at the polls on election day. Unaffiliated voters can pick one party’s primary or choose a nonpartisan ballot. Voting in a party primary doesn’t change their unaffiliated status, and their choice carries into any runoff. 

NEWS 3/3/26 8:00am

Election Center: Candidate profiles for the March 3 primary

By Elon News Network

Primary elections will be held March 3 in North Carolina. The Democratic and Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate will be on the ballot. The winners of these races will face off in November during the general election for the open North Carolina Senate seat. Another race on the Republican ballot is Alamance County Sheriff, with incumbent Terry Johnson being challenged by two candidates. Other races for Board of County Commissioners, County Clerk of Superior Court and North Carolina Appeals Seat 1 are also on the ballot. 

NEWS 3/3/26 3:09pm

Shuttle service aims to increase student voter access

By Mia Torres

Students looking to cast their ballots on Election Day will have transportation available through a shuttle service organized by Elon Votes.On Tuesday March 3, a shuttle will run from The Center for the Arts to two polling locations in Alamance County: Elon Elementary School and First Baptist Church of Elon.

NEWS 3/3/26 9:49am

LIVE BLOG: 2026 primary elections in Alamance County, North Carolina

By Elon News Network

Polls across North Carolina opened at 6:30 a.m. March 3 for the 2026 midterm primary elections. In Alamance County, registered Democrats can vote for one candidate each for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives District 9 and NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 3, and two candidates for Alamance County Board of Commissioners. 

NEWS 3/19/26 3:13pm

Primary elections bring changes to NC statehouse

By Trista Panagakos

The North Carolina primary elections have altered what the statehouse may look like in November. North Carolina, Wilmington, Aaron King said incumbents usually have an advantage when running for office because of name recognition, a record of accomplishments and organization. King said challengers are able to campaign as an outsider against an incumbent and explain to voters how the incumbent is failing them. Eight incumbent state lawmakers lost their primaries March 3, three Democrats and five Republicans.

NEWS 2/25/26 1:07pm

Elon Votes sponsors State of the Union watch party

By Kate Gray

Around 15 students gathered in Moseley Center on Feb. 24 for the State of the Union watch party, hosted by Elon Votes. The broadcast was President Trump’s first State of the Union of his second term and lasted a record 108 minutes, according to AP News. The previous record for the longest presidential address to Congress was 100 minutes and was set by Trump last year.

NEWS 2/23/26 1:55pm

Mebane City Council to expand offices, parking for staff

By Alannah Klingsporn

The Mebane City Council purchased a dentist's office and parking lot for $325,000 in a unanimous vote. The property is located across from the City Hall. North Carolina requires local governments to keep a minimum reserve — called a fund balance — equal to 8% of their annual general expenses.

NEWS 2/22/26 12:52pm

North Carolina remains in running for first 2028 presidential primary

By Kate Gray

North Carolina is one of 12 states vying for the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary in 2028, according to the Democratic National Committee. The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee must select four to five states for the early nominating window of the 2028 presidential election, with at least one state from each of the DNC’s four regions: East, Midwest, South and West.

NEWS 2/21/26 8:33pm

U.S. House passes SAVE America Act, Senate to consider it soon

By Trista Panagakos

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act was passed by the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 218-213 on Feb. 11, with one Democrat breaking party lines to vote to pass the bill. The bill will now be considered by the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to pass before going to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature. 

NEWS 2/20/26 7:30pm

New SNAP work requirements implemented in North Carolina

By Trista Panagakos

SNAP is a program that provides food assistance to lower-income individuals and families to help offset the cost of groceries. The program is funded by the federal government and state governments offset administrative costs. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, over one million North Carolinians receive SNAP benefits. 

NEWS 2/20/26 11:30am

State Senate primary threatens to topple North Carolina’s political hierarchy

By Miles Hayford

Over his 26 years in the North Carolina State Senate, Sen. Phil Berger has carved out significant influence, and since becoming the Senate leader in 2011, he has been one of the most powerful political players in the state. But Berger’s grip on the state’s Republican Party is now at risk of tumbling away due to a popular, cowboy hat-wearing sheriff from Rockingham County. Sam Page, who has been the sheriff of Rockingham County since 1998, is running against Berger for State Senate District 26, which includes Rockingham County and parts of Guilford County.

NEWS 2/17/26 11:20am

Brandon Enoch’s Trail for Green Level widens

By Alex Nettles

A long road led Brandon Enoch to become the town administrator of Green Level, a role assumed at the beginning of this year. He first worked in Green Level as the parks and recreation director. Now, he wants to bring the Green Level Woodland Trail, adventure tourism and a higher tax base to the town. 

Latest

LIFESTYLE 03/20/2026 9:00am
Elon University staff member pursues chaplaincy through Duke Divinity School

Kenneth Brown Jr., assistant director of first-generation student support services at Elon University, is continuing his journey toward becoming a chaplain. Though Brown can’t pinpoint the specific moment he decided to become a chaplain, he said the discovery of this passion was more like pulling the strings from various areas of his life together as he explored what made him “come alive.”

LIFESTYLE 03/19/2026 9:12am
Skateboarders work toward approval of skate park

For three hours, skateboarders took to the pavement of Beth Schmidt Park — setting up ramps and rails to get some tricks in on a rainy Sunday. But they are all waiting for one thing: a skate park.It has been years in the making, but chairman of the Elon Skate Coalition Scott Ingalls said they hope to break ground on the skatepark this year — either late summer or early fall. Ingalls said that donations help the skate committee and overall funding of the skatepark.

Advertisement

Latest Show

Latest Pendulum

The Pendulum, March 18, 2026
More Print Editions