2026 Elections
Election Day Information for Tuesday, March 3
- Voters must go to their assigned polling place to vote. Use the Voter Lookup Tool to confirm your polling place location before heading out to vote.
- Voter Turnout Updates: We get voter counts at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and at the close of polls. 10, 2, 4 Turnout Spreadsheet
- Unofficial results will be posted on the State Board of Elections Results Dashboard on election night.
- News Flash: Election Day & Beyond - Voting, Results, and What Happens After You Vote
Early Voting Turnout
Early voting turnout statistics will be posted each day after the early voting locations close. Early Voting Turnout (PDF)
Sample Ballots
Sample ballots are available for individual voters by locating their voter record in the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search. Scroll down to the “Your Sample Ballot” section and click on the link(s). Note: Unaffiliated voters will have least two ballot styles listed. When requesting an absentee ballot or presenting to vote in person, unaffiliated voters will choose which ballot they wish to vote.
You can print your sample ballot, mark it in advance, and bring it with you to the polling place to assist in casting your vote. If you prefer, you can also save the sample ballot on your mobile device and mark it digitally to reference when you vote. Please remember that while you can use your mobile device to view your marked sample ballot or other notes in the polling place, using your device to communicate with others or taking photos of your actual ballot is not allowed.
Who Can Vote In A Primary Election
Primary elections allow voters to help choose which candidates will appear on the general election ballot. In North Carolina, a voter’s eligibility and ballot type are based on their party affiliation. Voters registered as Democrats receive a Democratic ballot, and voters registered as Republicans receive a Republican ballot. The Libertarian and Green Parties do not have a primary ballot for this election.
Unaffiliated voters may also participate in primary elections in North Carolina. At check-in, unaffiliated voters will state their name and residential address and choose which party’s primary they wish to vote in. For this election, unaffiliated voters may select a Democratic or Republican ballot. An unaffiliated voter’s party choice applies only to the current primary election and will carry over to a second primary if one is held; it does not change the voter’s registration status.
Voters who are 17 years old may register and vote in the primary election if they will turn 18 by November 3, 2026.
Key Election Dates
PRIMARY ELECTION – TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026
- Monday, January 12 – Absentee ballots available
- Sunday, February 1 – Residency deadline
- Friday, February 6 – Voter registration deadline (including party changes)
- Thursday, February 12 – Saturday, February 28 – Early voting
- Tuesday, February 17, 5:00 p.m. – Last day to request an absentee ballot
- Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Primary Election Day
- Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 p.m. – Absentee ballots due at the Board of Elections office
- Friday, March 6 (Noon) – Deadline for provisional voters to show acceptable ID
- Friday, March 13, 11:00 a.m. – Canvass
GENERAL ELECTION – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026
- Friday, September 4 – Absentee ballots available
- Sunday, October 4 – Residency deadline
- Friday, October 9 – Voter registration deadline
- Thursday, October 15 – Saturday, October 31 – Early voting
- Tuesday, October 20, 5:00 p.m. – Last day to request an absentee ballot
- Tuesday, November 3, 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. – General Election Day
- Tuesday, November 3, 7:30 p.m. – Absentee ballots due at the Board of Elections office
- Friday, November 6 (Noon) – Deadline for provisional voters to show acceptable ID
- Friday, November 13, 11:00 a.m. – Canvass
2026 Primary Candidate List
You can review the list of candidates on the ballots for the 2026 Primary Election here: 2026 Primary Current Candidate List (PDF).
2026 General Candidate List
You can review the list of candidates who were automatically declared as their party’s nominee for the 2026 General Election, because they were the only candidates to file for the office pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-110, here: 2026 General Current Candidate List (PDF).
Offices Up for Election in 2026
You can review current office holders on our List of Currently Elected Officials (PDF).
| Office | District | Seat |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate | ||
| U.S. House of Representatives | District 7 | |
| N.C. State Senate | District 8 | |
| N.C. State House of Representatives | Districts 17 & 19 | |
| District Attorney | District 15 | |
| District Court Judge | District 15 | Seats 2, 5, & 7 |
| Brunswick County Commissioner | Districts 1 & 2 | |
| Brunswick County Sheriff | ||
| Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court | ||
| Brunswick County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor (2 seats) | ||
| Brunswick County Board of Education | Districts 3 & 5 |