Photo: images.squarespace-cdn.comNC · Officeholder
DState Senator · District 23
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: North Carolina Senate District 23
Jonah Garson is a Democratic state senator from North Carolina who represents District 23 and is seeking election to the seat on November 3, 2026, against Republican Laura Pichardo.[1][4] An attorney and vice chair of the Democratic Party of North Carolina, he was appointed to the Senate in April 2026.[1]
Garson was born in Chapel Hill and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2009 and a law degree from Columbia Law School in 2014, according to Ballotpedia.[1] Ballotpedia lists his profession as attorney.[1]
Garson was appointed to the District 23 seat on April 10, 2026, succeeding Graig Meyer.[1] Chapelboro reported, as cited by Ballotpedia, that the state Democratic Party committee selected Garson as the party's nominee to replace Meyer in the general election; Ballotpedia says Meyer resigned to become executive director of the North Carolina Justice Center.[4] The General Assembly's website lists the district as covering Caswell, Orange and Person counties and shows his committee assignments in Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology, Commerce and Insurance, Regulatory Reform, and State and Local Government.[2][3]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Jonah Garson is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Senate District 23 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
On the version voted Jun 24, 2026: Makes a range of tax law changes, including updating the state's link to the federal tax code, creating a Hurricane Helene timber-loss deduction, applying the 8% rental car tax to peer-to-peer rentals, and creating a 40% credit for rehabilitating corporate campuses.
Jun 23, 2026 · Passed 27–18 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).
Opts North Carolina into the federal tax credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations, and directs the State Education Assistance Authority to list qualifying organizations and carry out the state's participation.
Jun 3, 2026 · Passed 30–19 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium.
On the version voted Jun 10, 2026: Delays to 2027 the 2026 property revaluations in counties of 15,000 or more people, so those counties keep using prior property values for the 2026-27 tax year, and sets a $20 fee for the county assessor exam.
May 5, 2026 · Passed 28–17 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping.
On the version voted Jun 30, 2026: Creates felonies for selling drugs in posted drug-free zones around homeless service facilities, and bars local governments from allowing regular camping or sleeping on public property except at sites they designate for up to a year with Labor Department certification.
Jun 24, 2026 · Passed 26–16 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Changes election law, including shortening early voting for primaries and runoffs, requiring county boards to remove deceased voters within a week of receiving federal lists, and making other-state voter data non-public.
Jul 28, 2026 · Passed 28–14 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Various Local Election Changes III.
Moves municipal elections to even-numbered years for all municipalities in Catawba and McDowell Counties and several towns starting in 2028, and New Bern in 2030. Also extends some town officers' terms from two to four years and changes New Bern's election method.
Jun 16, 2026 · Passed 29–16 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Rocky Mount/Louisburg Utility Revenue/Advisory.
Limits Rocky Mount's transfers of electric and natural gas revenue to other city funds, creates a nine-member public utilities advisory committee there, limits Louisburg's transfers of electric revenue, and repeals a 2021 law on Louisburg's use of electric rates for economic development.
Jul 1, 2026 · Passed 29–18 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Regulatory Reform Act of 2026.
Makes environmental and procurement changes, including Environmental Management Commission approval of DEQ fee adjustments, cutting the underground petroleum tank annual fee from $498 to $100, and authorizing job order contracting.
Jun 24, 2026 · Passed 27–14 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
NC Farmland and Military Protection Act.
Bars foreign parties tied to adversarial governments from acquiring or holding interests in agricultural land or land within 50 miles of a military installation. Holdings before April 1, 2027 may continue but must be registered; later acquisitions must be sold within one year.
Jun 23, 2026 · Passed 42–3 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Improve IVC Process and Enhance Public Safety.
Orders studies and plans on involuntary commitment, including a jail telehealth exam pilot proposal and examiner training; lengthens outpatient commitment to up to 180 days with new criteria; creates an inpatient program to restore defendants' capacity for trial; and delays parts of Iryna's Law to July 2028.
Jun 30, 2026 · Passed 45–3 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Medicaid & HHS Adjust./Other Critical Needs.
Adjusts the state budget and changes Medicaid and food assistance to follow 2025 federal law, including Medicaid work requirements with proof of compliance before enrolling, monthly eligibility checks, $319 million for Medicaid cost growth, and more veterans' children scholarship funds.
Apr 28, 2026 · Passed 45–3 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Health and Human Services Revisions.
Makes several health and human services changes, including wider access to birth certificate data for research and public health, a veterans brain-stimulation pilot program, crisis-line information at schools and colleges, and insurance coverage of prosthetics.
Jun 18, 2026 · Failed 2–40 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping.
On the version voted Jun 30, 2026: Creates felonies for selling drugs in posted drug-free zones around homeless service facilities, and bars local governments from allowing regular camping or sleeping on public property except at sites they designate for up to a year with Labor Department certification.
Jun 24, 2026 · Passed 26–16 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Parking Lot Reform/Stormwater Control.
Bars most local governments outside the coastal area from requiring a minimum number of off-street parking spaces, and lets local governments offer optional incentives for extra stormwater controls. Also changes stormwater rules for existing impervious surface.
Jun 23, 2026 · Passed 44–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Robocall Solicitation Modifications.
Applies state telephone solicitation rules to robocalls and text messages, requires prior express written consent for solicitations, bans impersonating government officials in them, and counts civil penalties per violation within a single solicitation.
Jun 17, 2026 · Passed 31–16 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).
Opts North Carolina into the federal tax credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations, and directs the State Education Assistance Authority to list qualifying organizations and carry out the state's participation.
Jun 3, 2026 · Passed 30–19 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
NC Farmland and Military Protection Act.
Bars foreign parties tied to adversarial governments from acquiring or holding interests in agricultural land or land within 50 miles of a military installation. Holdings before April 1, 2027 may continue but must be registered; later acquisitions must be sold within one year.
Jun 23, 2026 · Passed 42–3 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Parking Lot Reform/Stormwater Control.
Bars most local governments outside the coastal area from requiring a minimum number of off-street parking spaces, and lets local governments offer optional incentives for extra stormwater controls. Also changes stormwater rules for existing impervious surface.
Jun 23, 2026 · Passed 44–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 2 of 69 party-divided votes on file.
Modify Nonprofit Corp. Act/Charitable Org.
What it does: Changes nonprofit corporation law, allowing new kinds of mergers and conversions, requiring annual reports to the Secretary of State for a $25 paper or $18 electronic fee, requiring nonprofits other than private found…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 6–10, Republicans 26–0
Jun 24, 2026Official record ↗
Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium.
What it does: On the version voted Jun 10, 2026: Delays to 2027 the 2026 property revaluations in counties of 15,000 or more people, so those counties keep using prior property values for the 2026-27 tax year, and sets a $20 fee fo…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 8–9, Republicans 28–0
May 5, 2026Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
With most of their party · Passed 28–21 · Yes 28–No 21 · Democrats 0–20, Republicans 28–1
Apr 22, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 27–18 · Yes 27–No 18 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 27–0
Jun 23, 2026Official record ↗
Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).
With most of their party · Passed 30–19 · Yes 30–No 19 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 30–0
Jun 3, 2026Official record ↗
Rocky Mount/Louisburg Utility Revenue/Advisory.
With most of their party · Passed 29–18 · Yes 29–No 18 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 29–0
Jul 1, 2026Official record ↗
Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping.
With most of their party · Passed 26–16 · Yes 26–No 16 · Democrats 0–16, Republicans 26–0
Jun 24, 2026Official record ↗
Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium.
With most of their party · Passed 28–17 · Yes 28–No 17 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 28–0
May 5, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 30–18 · Yes 30–No 18 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 30–0
May 19, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 30–16 · Yes 30–No 16 · Democrats 0–16, Republicans 30–0
May 20, 2026Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: Conference Rpt Third Reading
On the version voted Aug 5, 2026: Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provisions.
Motion: Conference Rpt Motion 8 To Adopt
Adjusts the 2026 budget act: redirects several directed grants, moves authorization of the America's Semiquincentennial license plate into GS 20-63, delays an insurance regulatory charge change to 2027, and appropriates $225,000 for State Fire Marshal and $300,000 for Labor Department positions.
Motion: Conference Rpt Motion 8 To Adopt
Changes court laws, including when juvenile records may be disclosed, giving any attorney of record access to the trial file in indigent appeals, assigning superior court judges to districts with a county over 1 million people, and Judicial Standards Commission definitions.
Motion: Conference Rpt Second Reading
On the version voted Aug 5, 2026: Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provisions.
Motion: Second Reading
On the version voted Aug 4, 2026: Appoints people to boards and commissions, including community college trustees and a Special Superior Court judge, on the recommendation of the Senate leader and House Speaker, and corrects earlier appointments.
Motion: Amendment 1
Changes election law, including shortening early voting for primaries and runoffs, requiring county boards to remove deceased voters within a week of receiving federal lists, and making other-state voter data non-public.
Motion: Amendment 2 Motion 1 To Table
Changes election law, including shortening early voting for primaries and runoffs, requiring county boards to remove deceased voters within a week of receiving federal lists, and making other-state voter data non-public.
Motion: Amendment 3 Motion 1 To Table
Changes election law, including shortening early voting for primaries and runoffs, requiring county boards to remove deceased voters within a week of receiving federal lists, and making other-state voter data non-public.
Motion: Amendment 5
Changes election law, including shortening early voting for primaries and runoffs, requiring county boards to remove deceased voters within a week of receiving federal lists, and making other-state voter data non-public.
Motion: Amendment 6 Motion 1 To Table
Changes election law, including shortening early voting for primaries and runoffs, requiring county boards to remove deceased voters within a week of receiving federal lists, and making other-state voter data non-public.
Showing 10 of 96 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.