Election 2026
All registered North Carolina voters can cast a ballot in the 2026 general election!
This year’s election is often called a “midterm” election because it takes place halfway through the U.S. President’s four-year term.
Federal, state, and local offices are up for election in 2026 — including one of NC’s U.S. Senate seats, NC’s entire delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, our entire state legislature, and a seat on the NC Supreme Court.
Voters in some counties will vote for local offices, including county school boards, mayors, and city councils. Voters in other counties will vote for local offices next year.
Key dates
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Vote by mail starts
September 4
Vote by MailCounty boards of elections begin sending absentee ballots to voters who request them.
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Voter Registration Deadline
October 9
Register to Vote in NCMust be registered by this date to vote on Election Day. Missed the deadline? You can still register and vote on the same day during early voting.
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Early voting starts
October 15
Early VotingRegister and vote on the same day! Vote at any early voting site in your county!
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Vote by mail request deadline
October 20
Vote by MailRequest your ballot by 5 PM. Ballots must be *received* by your county board of elections by Election Day (no grace period in NC).
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Early voting ends
October 31
Early VotingLast chance to use same-day registration and vote at any early voting site in your county.
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Election Day
November 3
Election DayLast day to vote in the general election. Must be registered by voter registration deadline. Vote only at your assigned polling place. Polls open 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. In line by 7:30 PM? You will be able to vote!
