Register or check your voter record
The regular registration deadline is October 9 at 5 p.m. Eligible residents may register and vote at the same time during early voting, but same-day registration is not available for most voters on Election Day.
Official voter resources
Make your North Carolina voting plan
Use North Carolina's official voter tools to register, check your record, find an early voting site, request an absentee ballot, review photo ID rules, and locate your Election Day polling place.
First steps
Start with these three actions
Plan early or Election Day voting
Early voting runs October 15 through October 31 at 3 p.m. A voter may use any early site in the county. On Election Day, vote at the assigned precinct from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Request and return an absentee ballot
Any registered voter may request a mail ballot without an excuse. The request deadline is October 20 at 5 p.m. A domestic ballot must reach the county board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Review the photo ID rule and exceptions
Voters are asked to show acceptable photo ID. A voter who cannot show ID may use an ID Exception Form under the official rules. Mail voters must include an ID copy or an ID Exception Form.
October 9regular registration deadline at 5 p.m.
October 15early voting begins
October 20mail ballot request deadline at 5 p.m.
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Election Day poll hours
Election timeline
Military and overseas ballots available
County boards must make requested absentee ballots available and distribute them to military and overseas voters by this date.
Regular voter registration deadline
A regular registration application is due by 5 p.m. Same-day registration remains available during early voting.
In-person early voting begins
Vote at any early voting site in the county. Eligible residents may also use same-day registration.
Absentee ballot request deadline
The county board must receive a regular absentee ballot request by 5 p.m. Military and overseas voters follow separate rules.
In-person early voting ends
The statewide early voting period ends at 3 p.m.
General Election Day and domestic ballot receipt deadline
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. A domestic absentee ballot must reach the county board by 7:30 p.m. Voters in line at 7:30 p.m. may vote.
Check the current rule: North Carolina voters are asked to show photo ID, but every voter may vote with or without ID by following the applicable provisional-ballot or ID Exception Form process. A mail ballot requires two witnesses or a notary and an ID copy or ID Exception Form. Domestic ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day; a postmark alone is not enough. Military and overseas voters have separate rules.
3 statewide constitutional amendments
Every North Carolina voter will decide three constitutional amendments on the November 3 ballot. Each question offers For and Against choices.
- Photo identification for all votingConstitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.
- Maximum state income tax rate of 3.5 percentConstitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%).
- Limits on local property tax increasesConstitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.
4 statewide judicial elections; no statewide retention questions
All North Carolina voters will elect one Supreme Court associate justice and three Court of Appeals judges from eight printed partisan candidates. Those four elections are included in the five candidate contests in this guide. The statewide ballot does not present a judicial retention question.
Open the official 2026 Judicial Voter GuideUse the NCSBE Voter Search for your complete ballot
This statewide guide excludes congressional districts, General Assembly districts, local courts, county offices, municipal offices, school boards, and local referendums. Use Voter Search to confirm the complete sample ballot, polling place, and voter record for your address.
Open North Carolina Voter SearchOfficial voter links
2026 upcoming electionOfficial election date, registration cutoff, early voting period, absentee deadlines, and statewide office list.Register to voteOfficial registration methods and deadline guidance.Early votingOfficial early voting dates, site search, same-day registration, and ballot drop-off rules.Vote by mailOfficial no-excuse eligibility, request process, and return guidance.Voter IDOfficial acceptable ID list, free ID options, and ID Exception Form rules.Election Day votingOfficial polling-place and Election Day guidance.Statewide referendumsOfficial wording for all three statewide constitutional amendments.
Dates checked October 1, 2026. Confirm them at the linked official source.