North Carolina 2026 Elections

On this page, find details about the upcoming statewide general election on Nov. 3, 2026. 

Voting in the 2026 election officially begins on Sept. 4, with the initial sending of absentee ballots to voters who requested them. That is followed by in-person early voting (Oct. 15 to Oct. 31), and, of course, Election Day.

Statewide General Election

The statewide general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. This election is also known as the “midterm,” as it is held two years (mid-way) into the four-year U.S. presidential term. Seats up for election include: 

  • One U.S. Senate seat 
  • 14 U.S. House seats
  • 1 N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice seat
  • 3 N.C. Court of Appeals Judge seats 
  • Statewide referendum
  • 50 N.C. Senate seats
  • 120 N.C. House seats  
  • Local judges and district attorneys
  • County offices like sheriffs, county commissioners, and Board of Education members
  • Municipal elections in some jurisdictions

Find lists of candidates and referendums on the 2026 ballot at Candidate Lists.

Voter Dates and Deadlines

Below are important voter dates and deadlines for the 2026 general election in North Carolina:

  • Sept. 4: Absentee ballots must be available and distributed to military and overseas voters. For more, see Vote by Mail.
  • Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).* For more, see How to Register.
  • Oct. 15: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available. For more, see Vote Early in Person.
  • Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*
  • Oct. 31: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
  • Nov. 3: Election Day. For more, see Vote in Person on Election Day.
  • Nov. 3: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).*

Find other important dates for the election on our web calendar: Voter Dates & Deadlines.

*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.

Important Tips for Voters

  • Need to register or update your registration? See How to Register or Updating Registration.
  • Check your registration: Voters can check to make sure their registration information is accurate and up to date using the Voter Search tool. There, you can also find your polling place, party affiliation, absentee ballot information, and more.
  • Find your sample ballot: All eligible, registered voters will find their sample ballot(s) in the “Your Sample Ballot” section of their Voter Search profile when sample ballots become available. 
  • Don’t forget your photo ID: North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Learn more: Voter ID.
  • Three ways to vote: Follow the links below to learn about the voting methods available to all NC voters.
  1. Vote Early in Person. For in-person early voting locations and schedules in your county, see the Early Voting Site Search. Also see Early Voting Sites for the November 3, 2026 Election (PDF) (Coming this fall).
  2. Vote in Person on Election Day (Nov. 3). Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters who vote on Election Day must go to their assigned polling place. Find your polling place in the Voter Search tool and navigate to "Your Voting Locations."
  3. Vote By Mail. Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote a mail-in absentee ballot for the 2026 elections. No excuse is needed.
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