For nearly 20 years, school districts across North Carolina have been asked to do more with less. Public schools need stable, adequate funding to serve students well — and voters play a crucial role in shaping that future.
Public education is shaped every day by decisions made at every level of government. Federal officials play a role in enforcing civil rights laws and providing additional funding for students who need extra support. State lawmakers are responsible for instructional costs, setting academic standards and testing requirements and establishing statewide education policies. Local officials are responsible for costs of school buildings including maintenance and school boards are responsible for the hiring of district superintendents. This November, voters will elect leaders who will directly impact Pitt County Schools for years to come — and vote on two statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot that could reshape how public goods, including public schools, are funded across North Carolina.
So what does that mean for our community? And how can YOU make a difference?
The answer is simple: be an informed voter and make a plan to vote. Public schools belong to the community, and one of the most powerful ways to support them is by participating in the democratic process.
Make Your Plan to Vote
- Check Your Voter Registration
Click HERE to use the State Board of Elections Voter Search Tool to confirm your voter registration and to identify your assigned Election Day polling site. The deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration is October 9 (click HERE for more info). You may also register to vote in-person at an early voting site from October 15-31 (click HERE for more info). However, NC does not offer same-day voter registration on Election Day (November 3).
- Decide When You Will Vote
Make voting a priority and put a date and time on your calendar to vote and set a reminder to vote at that time. You can vote during the early voting period or on Election Day. Early voting offers flexibility, often shorter lines, and the ability to vote at any of the early‑voting sites in Pitt County. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
- Bring Your Photo ID
North Carolina requires a photo ID to vote. Make sure you have yours with you when you go to vote.
Early Voting in Pitt County (2026 General Election)
October 15 – October 31, 2026
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday, Oct. 17 & Oct. 31: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Early Voting Sites
- Pitt County Agricultural Center – 403 Government Circle, Greenville
- Pitt County Cultural Arts & Rec – 4561 County Home Road, Greenville
- County Office Complex – 1717 West 5th Street, Greenville
- Eastern Pitt (Simpson Town Hall) – 2768 Thompson Street, Simpson
- ECU Student Center – 510 East 10th Street, Greenville
- Winterville Fire Station – 2593 Railroad Street, Winterville
Early voting allows any eligible voter to cast a ballot at any early‑voting site in the county.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3
Registered voters that choose to vote on Election Day must vote at their assigned polling place. Polls are open 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM, and anyone in line at 7:30 PM will be able to vote. Early morning and late evening tend to be the busiest times.
Be an Informed Voter
Your vote is most powerful when grounded in knowledge.
- Review Your Sample Ballot
Your sample ballot shows exactly which candidates you can vote for. Reviewing it ahead of time helps you research candidates’ positions on public education. Click HERE to access the State Board of Elections Voter Search Tool to view your sample ballot
Visit candidate websites, explore candidates’ social media, looking for public education priorities, and — for incumbents — you can review past voting records on issues related to public education.
- Learn About the Constitutional Amendments on the 2026 General Election ballot
This fall, two amendments on the ballot could significantly reduce state and local funding for not only our public schools but our greater communities by reducing funding for essential services like 911 emergency response and taking care of our roads.
Proposed Income Tax Rate Cap Amendment
This amendment would lower the maximum allowable state income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%. Taxpayers will not get a tax cut if this amendment is approved because state law already includes lower tax rates than the cap. Instead, reducing the cap through a constitutional amendment would prevent future lawmakers from raising income taxes above 3.5% — even during emergencies — without another statewide vote.
If approved, this amendment could limit the state’s ability to fund essential public services, including public schools. To make up for lost revenue, lawmakers might need to raise sales taxes, increase fees (such as DMV fees), rely more heavily on local funding, or reduce public services.
Proposed Property Tax Levy Limit Amendment
This amendment would give state legislators broad authority to impose limits on how much local governments can increase the total amount of property tax revenue collected in a city or county. It would not limit how much an individual homeowner’s property tax bill could increase. The amendment’s language is vague, leaving key details to be determined later through legislation.
Local governments already face pressure from years of underfunding. Additional restrictions on revenue growth could make it even harder for school districts to meet student needs, maintain facilities, and provide essential services.
Questions to consider when deciding how to vote on the proposed constitutional amendments –
- Is a constitutional amendment needed to enact policies on taxation?
- Would it be more effective to lower the income tax cap and set levy limits through laws that could be adjusted more easily if needed in future years?
- Does the language of the amendments provide enough specific details for voters to understand short and long term consequences?
- If the amendments are approved will there continue to be enough revenue to pay for community needs and services?
The NC Budget and Tax Center provides clear, nonpartisan information sheets explaining each amendment and its potential impact.
- Click HERE to review information regarding the proposed state income tax rate cap amendment
- Click HERE to review the proposed property tax levy limit amendment
Understanding these amendment proposals is essential, as they could shape North Carolina’s ability to fund public schools for decades.
Your Vote Can Support Public Schools
By making a plan to vote, learning about the candidates, and understanding the constitutional amendments, YOU help strengthen the public schools that anchor our community. Talk with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues and encourage them to check their voter registration, make a plan to vote and to be an informed voter.
YOUR VOICE matters. YOUR VOTE matters. And together, we can support the future of Pitt County’s children.
Voter Resources:
North Carolina State Board of Elections
Pitt County Board of Elections
