NC Voter Guide
presented by Common Cause North Carolina
2026 North Carolina Primary Election Important Dates:
- Jan. 12: County boards of elections begin mailing absentee ballots to eligible voters who submitted an absentee ballot request form. Learn about voting absentee by mail.
- Feb. 6: Voter registration deadline (5pm).* Learn about registering to vote.
- Feb. 12: In-person early voting and same-day registration begins.
- Feb. 17: Absentee ballot request deadline (5pm).*
- Feb. 28: In-person early voting and same-day registration ends (3pm).
- March 3: Primary Election Day.
- March 3: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30pm).*
*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
In this year’s election, voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina.
NC Voting Tools
- Check your voter registration status
- Register to vote in North Carolina
- Learn about the 2026 Primary Election
- Learn about voter ID in North Carolina
- Find your Election Day polling place
- Find early voting sites in your county
- Voting absentee by mail in North Carolina
- Learn about the candidates on your ballot
- Contact your county board of elections
- Problems or questions about voting? Call the nonpartisan hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE
About the NC Voter Guide
The North Carolina Voter Guide is a public service of Common Cause NC, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy.
The guide is designed to give all voters facts on the election and candidates in North Carolina.
You can donate here to support our nonpartisan voter education work.