Nora Webb, Publisher & Sophia Tascone, Staff Writer 

Election Day has arrived, and with it comes Greensboro’s general election for Mayor and City Council members; this article covers voting information and descriptions of the candidates in both races.  Only voters registered at an address within Greensboro city limits are eligible to vote in this election.   

In-person voting on Election Day is by assigned precinct and polling location. You can find your precinct before an election by using the Voter Search Tool. Assigned precinct polling locations are open for voting on election days from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

UNCG students who live on campus and are registered with their on-campus address will vote at the Elliott University Center (EUC), which serves as the on-campus polling location. Students registered at an off-campus address within Greensboro city limits should confirm their site before heading out, as polling places may differ from early voting sites. 

Same-day registration is not available on Election Day, so only registered voters can cast ballots today. Remember to bring an acceptable photo ID (such as your student ID, driver’s license, or U.S. passport). Polls close at 7:30 p.m., but anyone in line by that time will still be allowed to vote. 

The mayor’s race narrowed after the October 7 special election, leaving two candidates: Marikay Abuzuaiter and Robbie Perkins. For readers looking to refresh their memory, here’s a recap drawn from Sophia Tascone’s Sept 30^th Opinions piece on each candidate’s background and priorities. 

Robbie Perkins is a former mayor of Greensboro and a longtime City Council member. Most of Perkins’ endorsements come from white male CEOs of real estate and development companies, or, in other words, people who do not accurately represent the community Perkins would be serving as mayor.  

Perkins lists three issues on his campaign page, one relating to investment in police forces to “address the root causes of crime,” which is a method that has time and time again been proven ineffective for reducing civilian crime, and very effective for increasing police brutality. The other two issues both relate to city development: increasing attainable housing through partnerships with developers and infrastructure investments in the development of Greensboro. Again, Perkins demonstrates his connection with real estate and development companies. Perkins’ real estate endeavors have not always been easy, however. During his previous term as mayor, from 2011 to 2013, Perkins filed for bankruptcy due to having around $10.8 million in debt, mostly professional, related to his real estate endeavors. Do we really want our mayor to be putting so much faith and emphasis in real estate and development when this is how it turned out last time? 

Marikay Abuzuaiter is a huge improvement. Marikay Abuzuaiter was a small business owner in Greensboro for more than 20 years before serving on the City Council. Her listed endorsements accurately reflect the community she hopes to serve, including many residents and community members.   

Her issues include public transportation initiatives and the development of Greensboro’s economy. However, when it comes to this development, she prioritizes the maintenance of existing parks and cultural centers, most of which are in already-developed areas, rather than focusing on the development of neglected areas. Additionally, like Perkins, Abuzuaiter plans to invest in policing initiatives to reduce crime, which, again, has not historically been effective. 

The six City Council members moving on from October’s special election are Hugh Holston, Denise Roth, Richard Beard, Jamilla Pinder, Irving D. Allen, and T. Dianne  Bellamy-Small; you can learn more about each candidate by clicking on their name, or by scrolling down for brief overviews of the candidates’ positions.  

In this race, voters will choose three candidates:  

Hugh Holston: A current At-Large council member and CEO of the Greensboro Housing Coalition, Holston highlights his leadership background in both the private and nonprofit sectors. He lists economic development, housing expansion, and public safety as key priorities, aiming to continue the city’s recent momentum in job growth. 

Denise Roth: A former Greensboro City Manager and a former federal administrator under President Obama, Roth brings decades of local and national government experience. Her campaign focuses on smart, sustainable growth, innovative public safety strategies, and inclusive economic opportunity. 

Richard Beard: A business development professional with more than 20 years of experience, Beard cites his success in attracting economic investment and creating jobs in Greensboro. His platform focuses on economic growth, downtown revitalization, and improving community recreation centers and youth programs. 

Jamilla Pinder: Pinder’s platform centers on housing, economic opportunity, infrastructure, and public safety. She advocates for affordable housing at all levels, investment in local businesses, and sustainable infrastructure to support long-term city growth. 

Irving D. Allen: A community organizer with over 15 years of experience in Greensboro, Allen has built coalitions around housing, jobs, and public safety. He emphasizes listening as a core value of representation and prioritizes affordable housing, workers’ rights, and youth investment. 

T. Dianne Bellamy-Small: A veteran public servant and community leader, Bellamy-Small’s record includes major infrastructure projects, equity initiatives, and cultural programs. She highlights her leadership in the Justice Center, East Greensboro Parity Study, and community development efforts as evidence of her longstanding service to the city.