2026 General Election Key Dates

• Monday, October 5 at 5pm: Last day to register to vote for the 2026 General Election

• Thursday, October 15: First day of Early Voting

• Tuesday, October 20 at 5pm: Last day to request an Absentee Ballot

• Saturday, October 31: Last day of Early Voting

• Tuesday, November 3: Election Day

Voting Requirements:

North Carolina requires photo identification when voting, either in person or absentee.

• Voters are asked to show photo ID when voting.

  • The acceptable forms of IDs are listed on this page: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id

• If a voter cannot show an acceptable photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form.

• If mail-in voters are unable to include a copy of their photo ID with their ballot envelope, they can also fill out an ID Exception Form to return with their ballot.