The people who set your pay are on the ballot

Mark your calendar

Key dates and deadlines

Times are firm. A registration or absentee request that arrives after 5 p.m. on the deadline will not count for this election.

Fri · Oct9

Voter registration deadline 5 p.m.
Register online through the DMV or mail a form postmarked by this date.
Thu · Oct15

Early voting begins
Vote at any early voting site in your county. Same-day registration is available at every site.
Tue · Oct20

Last day to request a mail-in ballot 5 p.m.
Request it early. Mail takes time in both directions.
Sat · Oct31

Early voting ends 3 p.m.
The last Saturday closes early. Plan for a weekday if you can.
Tue · Nov3

Election Day 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Vote at your assigned polling place. Mail-in ballots must also be received by 7:30 p.m.

Where to vote

Find your polling place and early voting sites

Both tools come from the N.C. State Board of Elections and open in a new tab.

Your Election Day polling place and sample ballot

Open the Voter Search tool.
Enter your first and last name and pick your county.
Click your name, then scroll to Your Voting Locations and Your Sample Ballot.

Your record also shows your N.C. House and Senate districts and the status of any mail-in ballot.

Open Voter Search

Early voting sites, dates and hours

Open the Early Voting Site Search.
Choose your county.
Pick any site on the list. During early voting you are not tied to one location.

Hours vary by site and by day. Check before you go, especially on weekends.

Find early voting sites

Make a plan

Three ways to vote

Every registered voter in North Carolina can use any of the three. Pick the one that fits your shift.

Oct. 15–31

Early, in person

Any early voting site in your county
Register or update your address on the spot
Shorter lines on weekdays

Early voting details

Nov. 3, 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

On Election Day

Only at your assigned polling place
If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you can vote
No same-day registration for most voters

Election Day details

Request by Oct. 20

By mail

No excuse needed
Returned ballot must arrive by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3
Track your ballot with BallotTrax

Vote-by-mail details

Registration

Get registered, or make sure you still are

If you moved, changed your name or haven’t voted in a while, check your record in Voter Search now. There are two ways to register before the Oct. 9 deadline:

Online through the N.C. DMV, if you have a DMV-issued ID.
By mail with the voter registration form (PDF), postmarked by Oct. 9.

Missed the deadline?

Register and vote the same day at any early voting site in your county, Oct. 15–31. Bring proof of where you live, such as a driver’s license with your current address, a utility bill, a bank statement or a paycheck. You must have lived in the county for at least 30 days before Election Day. Same-day registration rules

Got a letter from the Board of Elections about your registration? Some records are missing an ID number. See Registration Repair to check and fix yours.

Photo ID

Bring a photo ID

You will be asked to show photo ID when you check in, whether you vote early or on Election Day. A North Carolina driver’s license is the most common.

Your state employee ID may count

The State Board has approved employee IDs from a number of state agencies, UNC System schools, community colleges and local governments for voting through Dec. 31, 2026. See if your agency’s ID is on the list

No acceptable ID? You can still vote. Ask for an ID Exception Form at check-in. Full voter ID rules

EMPAC endorsements

Two candidates who have earned our support

EMPAC, SEANC’s political action committee, usually endorses candidates in dozens of legislative races. This year, SEANC members voted not to endorse in any race with an incumbent.

Members made that call because the General Assembly has not stood up for the people who keep this state running. Raises have not kept pace with the cost of living. Health and retirement benefits have eroded. Vacancies have left the employees who remain covering more work with fewer hands.

In two open-seat races, members found candidates worth backing.

N.C. House District 51

Charles Taylor

Republican · Lee County and part of Moore County

Taylor has represented Ward 2 on the Sanford City Council since 2007. He is running for the seat Rep. John Sauls is leaving.

N.C. House District 63

Ian Baltutis

Democrat · Part of Alamance County

Baltutis served as mayor of Burlington from 2015 to 2021 and now sits on the Burlington City Council. Campaign website

Not sure which House district you live in? Your sample ballot in Voter Search lists it.

Official resources

More from the State Board of Elections

2026 General ElectionFull list of dates and what’s on the ballot
Candidate listsEvery race and candidate statewide
Judicial voter guideN.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals candidates
BallotTraxTrack your mail-in ballot
County boards of electionsContact your county’s election office
Help for voters with disabilitiesCurbside voting and assistance

N.C. State Board of Elections: 919-814-0700 · elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov

The people who set your pay are on the ballot.