N.C. Senate 40

There are 50 members in the N.C. Senate, and they serve as the "upper house" of the General Assembly. Their powers include proposing and passing laws, along with the N.C. House; fiscal oversight of the state budget (more than half of the state budget goes to education); gubernatorial veto overrides; confirmation of certain executive branch appointments; redistricting; proposing N.C. constitutional amendments and providing constituent services. 

State residents must be at least 25 years old to run for the Senate and they must have lived in N.C. for at least two years. State senators serve two-year terms with no term limits.

The N.C. Senate has 20 Democrats and 30 Republicans. To override a veto of any bill by the governor, three-fifths of both chambers (30 senators and 72 House members) must vote to override it.

N.C. Senate District 40 covers eastern and central Mecklenburg, including east Charlotte and University City. The district’s median household income is lower than the state median ($64,000 for District 40 versus $72,000 for the state). The district's median age is 33, younger than the state median of 39.

Among registered voters in the district, 47% are Democrats, 40% are unaffiliated and 12% are Republicans.

District 40 has been represented by Democrat Joyce Waddell since 2015. This is the fourth election where she faces Republican Bobbie Shields.

N.C. Senate 40 Candidates