2025 Straw Poll

What is the Straw Poll? In the absence of a partisan primary and to avoid splitting the vote in municipal elections, the Executive Board developed our Municipal Election Strategy which was approved by the County Executive Committee (CEC) made up of precinct leaders, State Executive Committee (SEC) members, auxiliary chairs or presidents, and elected officials. This strategy has four steps: 

  1. Candidate Questionnaire - With input from Democratic elected officials, this survey is designed to ensure that our candidates are logistically ready to run a successful campaign, hold core positions that align with the NHCDP, and can address any obstacles that may arise with their candidacies. All responses will be shared with the CEC. This is not to push our candidates into certain positions, but to vet our own leaders before the media or public does, and more importantly, so we can hold our officials accountable in the future based on their own promises.

  2. Candidate Forum - This forum, moderated by a neutral third-party, is held at a location and time suited for all candidates. After brief introductions, the moderator will ask our candidates a series of questions, followed by additional questions from the audience. Audience questions are submitted in advance via a survey or Google Form.

  3. NCDP Mediator - If necessary or requested, the NCDP appoints an individual to serve as mediator, work with our candidates, and (ideally) narrow our field. The goal of this mediation is to make clear that the party will use our resources in the most-effective manner possible and only support the same number of Democrats as there are open seats. If additional candidates choose to run, they will not receive party support on social media, campaign materials, canvasses, phone banks, or blue ballots. The NHCDP, however, will do everything possible to help develop these candidates for the future.

  4. NHCDP Straw Poll - The final step is the straw poll, where active party members vote for their top candidates to fill any open seat. Eligible voters include all CEC members and county convention delegates from precincts within the municipality. The straw poll results show us which Democratic candidates have the strongest viability and community support, allowing us to commit party resources strategically. This process is both transparent and democratic—giving members a voice while helping us unite early behind the most competitive candidates. That way, we can focus our limited time, volunteers, and funding where they will make the biggest difference.

In its very first year, this four-step strategy delivered a clean sweep—Democrats winning all three city council seats for the first time in six years (source). We’re ready to do it again in 2025!

We stand by the current process, while remaining open to improvements, and are committed to:

  • Increasing attendance at our organizational meetings.

  • Clearly stating that one purpose of these meetings is to elect delegates—who will, in turn, vote in the straw poll.

  • Urging precincts to elect officers and delegates who reflect the diversity and character of their communities.

  • Ensuring each precinct elects the maximum number of delegates allowed.

  • Encouraging all eligible straw poll voters to exercise their right to vote—just as we urge voters to do in every election.

Separating Myths from Facts

  • MYTH: The straw poll is a "pre-primary" primary.

    FACT: There is no official primary for municipal elections in New Hanover County. As a result, more candidates can file than there are seats available. When more Democrats run than seats exist, we risk splitting the vote and losing representation. The straw poll helps prevent this by identifying strong candidates and building consensus in the absence of a partisan primary.

  • MYTH: The straw poll picks candidates to run.

    FACT: The straw poll does not determine who can or cannot run for office. While we may encourage candidates who do not perform well in the straw poll to withdraw, the Party cannot require them to do so—and their names will still appear on the November ballot. The purpose of the straw poll is to help us focus our limited financial and volunteer resources on the exact number of candidates needed to win available seats. Like any organization, we must be strategic in how we allocate our resources—and like other organizations, the active members of the organization are the ones who help make that decision.

  • MYTH: Democrats always outperform Republicans in Wilmington—so a straw poll isn’t necessary.

    FACT: History shows that Democratic victories in Wilmington are far from guaranteed. In several past City Council races—including 2015, 2019, and 2021—Democrats failed to secure all available seats. In 2021, only one Democrat won out of three seats, despite a strong field of candidates. This underperformance often coincides with having too many Democratic candidates on the ballot, which splits the vote and allows Republicans to win.

    The straw poll helps prevent this by promoting unity and ensuring we don’t dilute support across too many candidates. In 2023, after the straw poll was implemented, Democrats won all three available seats—a clear sign that strategic coordination works.

    DATA: https://bit.ly/41vvbJ2

  • MYTH: Only Party leadership voted in the straw poll.

    FACT: The straw poll was not limited to Party leadership. Voting was open to two groups: (1) delegates elected at precinct meetings within Wilmington municipal districts, and (2) members of the County Executive Committee (CEC), which includes precinct chairs and vice chairs, SEC members, board officers, caucus presidents, and elected officials.

    In March 2025, Democrats in 41 precincts across New Hanover County held their annual organizational meetings. Of those, 36 precincts successfully organized and elected leadership and delegates—up to 33 per precinct, depending on voter turnout in the 2024 gubernatorial race. In total, 539 delegates were elected out of a possible 808.

    To vote in the straw poll, individuals had to be either a Wilmington-based delegate or a CEC member. Of the 457 eligible voters, 429 lived in Wilmington and 29 did not but qualified through CEC roles. In the end, 284 eligible Democrats cast votes in the straw poll—demonstrating broad participation beyond just Party leadership.

  • MYTH: Straw poll voters outside of Wilmington had a greater say in the results than straw poll voters inside the municipality.

    FACT: The overwhelming majority of straw poll voters lived within the Wilmington city limits. Of the 457 eligible voters, 429 were Wilmington residents. Only 29 voters were from outside Wilmington, but they were still eligible because they serve in official Party roles, such as precinct chairs, vice chairs, SEC members, or caucus leaders. In total, 284 people voted in the straw poll—demonstrating that the process was driven primarily by Wilmington-based Democrats.

    DATA: https://bit.ly/3HgyhKf

    OF NOTE: Precincts who elected the least number of allowable delegates include: W15 (16% or 4 of 25), W34 (23% or 7 of 30), W21 (33% or 8 of 24), M02 (36% or 12 of 33), W30 (40% or 10 of 25), W35 (43% or 10 of 23), and M04 (45% or 15 of 22).

    OF NOTE: Precincts whose delegates chose not to vote include: W15 (Zero eligible delegates voted), H12 (19% of eligible delegates voted), H08 (24%), H10 (50%), M02 (50%), and W26 (50%).

  • MYTH: The straw poll is racist.

    FACT: The straw poll process was open, transparent, and equitable. All candidates—regardless of race—were given equal access to participate. Four strong candidates, including two Black candidates, are running for City Council. Two candidates, including one Black candidate, are running for mayor.

    Every candidate was asked to:

    1. Complete a candidate questionnaire

    2. Participate in a public forum

    3. Attend the straw poll event for a final appearance

    All but one candidate, a mayoral candidate, engaged in the process. Candidates who engaged in the process were given the full list of straw poll voters and their contact information to campaign directly.

    At the conclusion of the straw poll, Mayor Bill Saffo and three City Council candidates— Chakema Clinton-Quintana, JC Lyle, and Cassidy Santaguida all earned endorsements.

    The straw poll is not designed to exclude—it exists to help unify Democratic support behind a slate of candidates who engage with the process. Those selected through the straw poll receive the full support of the Party and its resources.