2026 North Carolina Elections

Key dates

State & Federal Elections

Early voting, mail ballot, and registration deadlines below are calculated from North Carolina's standing rules for each election date. Always confirm with your county election office.

1. Tuesday, March 3, 2026 · Primary Election · CompletedShow detailsHide details▾

   In-person early voting

   February 12, 2026 – February 28, 2026

   Early voting ("one-stop" absentee voting) begins the third Thursday before the election and runs through 3pm on the Saturday before Election Day (3 days before), including some weekend hours.

   Registration & mail ballot deadlines (3)▾

   Voter registration deadline

   February 6, 2026

   Mail/online registration closes 25 days before the election, but North Carolina offers same-day registration in person during the early voting period.

   Mail ballot request (no excuse needed)

   February 24, 2026

   Any registered voter may request a no-excuse absentee-by-mail ballot; requests must be received by 5pm on the Tuesday before the election (about a week prior).

   Mail ballot return

   Must be received by March 3, 2026

   As of a 2023 law change, mail ballots must now be received by the county board by 7:30pm on Election Day (the prior 3-day postmark grace period was eliminated).

2. Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · Primary Runoff · CompletedShow detailsHide details▾

   If required

   In-person early voting

   April 23, 2026 – May 9, 2026

   Early voting ("one-stop" absentee voting) begins the third Thursday before the election and runs through 3pm on the Saturday before Election Day (3 days before), including some weekend hours.

   Registration & mail ballot deadlines (3)▾

   Voter registration deadline

   April 17, 2026

   Mail/online registration closes 25 days before the election, but North Carolina offers same-day registration in person during the early voting period.

   Mail ballot request (no excuse needed)

   May 5, 2026

   Any registered voter may request a no-excuse absentee-by-mail ballot; requests must be received by 5pm on the Tuesday before the election (about a week prior).

   Mail ballot return

   Must be received by May 12, 2026

   As of a 2023 law change, mail ballots must now be received by the county board by 7:30pm on Election Day (the prior 3-day postmark grace period was eliminated).

3. 22 days away

   General Election

   NOV03

   2026Tuesday

   In-person early voting

   October 15, 2026 – October 31, 2026

   Early voting ("one-stop" absentee voting) begins the third Thursday before the election and runs through 3pm on the Saturday before Election Day (3 days before), including some weekend hours.

   Registration & mail ballot deadlines (3)▾

   Voter registration deadline

   October 9, 2026

   Mail/online registration closes 25 days before the election, but North Carolina offers same-day registration in person during the early voting period.

   Mail ballot request (no excuse needed)

   October 27, 2026

   Any registered voter may request a no-excuse absentee-by-mail ballot; requests must be received by 5pm on the Tuesday before the election (about a week prior).

   Mail ballot return

   Must be received by November 3, 2026

   As of a 2023 law change, mail ballots must now be received by the county board by 7:30pm on Election Day (the prior 3-day postmark grace period was eliminated).

By jurisdiction

Local Elections

Local election dates vary by jurisdiction. Find local election information through your North Carolina elections office.

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