101.9 KISS FM IS ENCOURAGING YOU TO KISS THE VOTE!
North Carolina 2026 Elections
In 2026, North Carolina will hold its primary election on March 3, 2026, and general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Keep reading to learn more, or click the links below to jump to a subject on this page.
Voter Dates and Deadlines
Here are voter dates and deadlines for the 2026 primary election in North Carolina:
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Jan. 12, 2026: County boards of elections begin mailing absentee ballots to eligible voters who submitted an absentee ballot request form.
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Feb. 6, 2026: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).*
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Feb. 12, 2026: In-person early voting begins.
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Feb. 17, 2026: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*
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Feb. 28, 2026: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
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March 3, 2026: Primary Election Day.
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March 3, 2026: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).*
*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
Who Can Vote in the Primary?
Voters affiliated with any political party may vote the ballot of candidates for their party only. For example, a registered Republican may vote the Republican primary ballot only. Some recognized political parties in North Carolina may not have primary ballots.
Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote any one political party’s ballot or a nonpartisan ballot (if available). A voter cannot vote in more than one party’s primary.
Second Primary?
If no candidate reaches the vote percentage necessary to become the nominee in a contest on the ballot, a runner-up can request a second primary to be held on May 12, 2026. Voters can revisit this page after the primary to see if any contests will have second primaries.
Important Tips for Voters
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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, absentee ballot information, and more.
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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 they become available. For even-year elections, sample ballots are typically available 50 days before Election Day.
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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.
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Three ways to vote: Follow the links below to learn about the voting methods available to voters.