Guilford County voters weigh quarter-cent sales tax; Cooper faces Whatley for Senate

Guilford County voters are deciding Tuesday whether to add a quarter-cent sales tax that officials estimate would raise about $30 million a year, with most of the money going to teacher salary supplements. A separate estimate cited by officials puts the revenue at $19 million a year for teachers.

The county has put the same tax before voters in several elections, and each time it has failed. Officials say the earlier ballot language did not say where the money would go.

Polls close at 7:30 p.m. WFDD and NPR will provide live coverage of the returns, with analysis from reporters and local experts. Results for all races will post on the North Carolina State Board of Elections Results Dashboard.

In the U.S. Senate race, former Democratic governor Roy Cooper is facing Michael Whatley, the Republican candidate picked by President Donald Trump. The seat is open because incumbent Thom Tillis is retiring after clashing with Trump last year. Democrats see the contest as one of their best chances to take a Republican-held seat and regain control of the chamber.

Turnout has already set a midterm record. North Carolinians cast nearly 2.8 million early votes, up 30% from 2022. The state has 7.8 million registered voters.