About Voting Precincts and Townships in Johnston County

Voting precincts and townships in Johnston County, North Carolina, are two different types of geographic subdivisions, and they do not have a one-to-one relationship.

Here is how they differ and relate to one another: 

Townships

Townships are historical subdivisions of the county. In North Carolina, they are primarily used for census purposes and some administrative functions, like historical tax districts or real estate parcel identification. They are not functioning municipal governments and do not determine where you vote.

Voting Precincts

Voting precincts are established specifically for the administration of elections. These boundaries determine where a registered voter goes to cast their ballot on Election Day and which local races (such as school board or county commissioner districts) appear on their specific ballot.

The Relationship

While the names of some voting precincts may share the name of a township (for example, there might be a "Bentonville" precinct and a "Bentonville" township), the boundaries are not identical. Precinct boundaries are drawn based on population sizes, census block boundaries, and the logistical needs of administering an election (such as ensuring a polling place can handle the number of assigned voters).

Because precinct boundaries can be redrawn based on population changes or redistricting, they often cross township lines. Therefore, knowing your township does not tell you your voting precinct.

To determine your specific voting precinct, use the official Voter Search tool provided by the North Carolina State Board of Elections. You can also view precinct maps directly on the Johnston County Board of Elections website.

A list of townships and a map of townships can be found on the Johnston County Townships page.