5 races we're watching on election night in Charlotte

• Look at how the fresh Republican supermajority quickly changed abortion laws last year. Your vote could decide whether the GOP's legislative power sticks or shifts.
• Look at the state of North Carolina public schools. The superintendent race will be a close one, and a new leader is guaranteed.
• And look down the ballot, at the many other races that'll impact our day-to-day lives. Read our full voter guide here.

Polls are open 6:30am until 7:30pm. As long as you are in line at 7:30pm, you can vote.

• Don't forget your North Carolina driver's license or another acceptable form of photo ID.

Here are a few notable stories we're watching:

1. Will Robinson's scandal drag other Republican candidates down?

The race between Democrat Attorney General Josh Stein and Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson was always bound to be closely watched. But it may have exceeded expectations after a September CNN report revealed damning allegations about Robinson's internet history.

• Stein's lead in the polls widened since then.
• Some Republicans have tried to distance themselves from Robinson. Trump recently claimed he was "unfamiliar" with the governor's race despite previously endorsing Robinson.

2. Will an outside critic or inside proponent lead our public schools?

At a time when public schools describe themselves as "suffocated" and "hemorrhaging," they're set to have a new leader.

• Homeschool teacher Michele Morrow shocked the state when she upset sitting superintendent Catherine Truitt in the Republican primary. Morrow rose fast in political circles — participating in Jan. 6 and unsuccessfully running for Wake County school board. Truitt has declined to endorse her.
• Morrow's past controversial remarks have included proposing to execute Democratic officials. Even former president Obama says he's watching this race.
• Her Democratic opponent Mo Green, a former superintendent, has framed himself as the more qualified candidate who'd be tasked with saving public schools in North Carolina. "I do believe that the very soul of public education is on the ballot," he told the Assembly.

3. Will Cotham's party switch cost her reelection?

Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County infuriated Democrats when she switched to the Republican Party mid-legislative session last year.

• To solidify another term, Cotham likely needs to win over some swing voters in her Republican-leaning district. Democrats hope they see Cotham's switch as deceitful, but it's possible moderate voters wouldn't be as bothered by it.

4. Will Republicans keep their supermajority?

Besides Cotham, Mecklenburg County is home to other swing districts that could make or break the GOP supermajority.

• Another House race to watch is Republican Melinda Bales, former Huntersville mayor, versus Beth Helfrich, a former teacher.
• The electee would succeed popular Republican Rep. John Bradford.
• Also, in southeast Mecklenburg, there's a competitive senate race between Democrat Woodson Bradley, a realtor, and Republican Stacie McGinn, a former Bank of America executive.

5. Which popular Charlotte-area congressman will be attorney general?

For a while, the race between U.S. House representatives Dan Bishop, the Republican, and Jeff Jackson, the Democrat, seemed quieter than it should be. That's even though one candidate calls himself "one of the toughest and most outspoken conservatives," and the other has a massive social media following.

• In the final weeks leading up to the election, Bishop has ramped up campaign ads against Jackson and sued his campaign for defamation. Jackson is soliciting donations via his Substack to try to water down Bishop's attacks.
• North Carolina is electing a new attorney general as crime is a top-of-mind issue for many voters. Bishop is doubling down on law and order and painting Jackson as too "soft" and "woke." Jackson's campaign lists priorities such as the fentanyl crisis, building defenses against artificial intelligence scams and protecting seniors from fraud.