Durham residents say crime a top issue as early voting locations open
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Durham County Board of Elections has begun early voting for the 2025 Municipal Primary Election through October 4.
Bull City voters wasted no time to make their voices heard.
Regina King, of Durham, was one of many to cast a ballot early in the municipal primary election.
"I just think that there needs to be some changes in Durham," she said. "I wanted to get out and make my vote count quickly. I just think sometimes you need to have some new blood, new ideas, new advancements."
Early voting started Thursday at five different locations across the city in the race for mayor and city council.
Mayor Leo Williams faces four challengers in his reelection bid, including Anjanee Bell. She's the daughter of Durham's longest-running mayor, Bill Bell.
Also on the ballot for mayor are Rafiq Zaidi, Lloyd Phillips, and Pablo Friedman.
The top two candidates for mayor and the top two candidates in each of the three ward races will move on to the general election on Nov. 4.
Charles Singletary Jr. also came out to vote early.
He said his biggest concerns center on community concerns, such as jobs and crime.
"More real job opportunities for young folks," he said. "Crime, which is a staggering problem, not just in Durham, but in a lot of places."
King agreed, and she said city officials need to find a way to tackle what she says is increased crime.
"Probably economics and definitely crime, as a matter of fact. Let's put crime on the top, because Durham is a place nowadays, so crime-ridden, nobody wants to live here," she said.
Voters also said they had concerns with the number of early voting locations and the absence of an early voting location downtown.
Check voter eligibility, locations
All City of Durham residents are eligible to vote in the primary election.
To determine whether you live in the city, you can click here to check your registration record.
Unlike Election Day, when eligible voters must vote at their home precinct, City of Durham residents can cast their ballot at any of the five early voting sites listed below:
North Regional Library - 221 Milton Road, Durham, NC 27712
East Regional Library - 211 Lick Creek Lane, Durham, NC 27703
South Regional Library - 4505 S. Alston Avenue, Durham, NC 27713
Durham County Board of Elections - 3825 S. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27713
NCCU - Turner Law Building - 640 Nelson Street, Durham, NC 27707
Those who are not registered voters can complete same-day registration at any of the early voting sites with proof of residence.
People who need to update their name and/or address information can also do so during the early voting period.
For more information on early voting, visit the Early Voting page on the city's website at dcovotes.com.
Help design Durham's 'I voted sticker'
Durham is also asking residents to help design a new "I voted" sticker.
People will vote on the winning design, which could be handed out to voters starting this October.
The winner will also get a $25 gift card and other goodies.
You can submit your design to this email.
