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North Carolina Elections Calendar - 2025 and 2026

Primary Election - March 3,2026​

Statewide and Federal primaries are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each even-numbered year to select the nominees of the major political parties for partisan offices - NC ST 163-1, 163-213-2. Presidential primary

Poll Hours: 6:30 AM-7:30 PM

March Primary Election Election's Important Dates:
February 6, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline In Person: In North Carolina, the civilian voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day. North Carolina is one of the States that have enacted same day registration only during the early voting period..
February 6, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Once completed, the application should be printed, signed and then mailed to the county board of elections in the county where the applicant resides .
February 6, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline Online: You may apply to register to vote online. Once completed, the application is sent to the N.C. State Board of Elections, which handles voter registrations. If there are any issues with the application or if more information is needed, your county board of elections will contact you to complete the process .
February 12, 2026 Early voting begins: Early voting starts the Third Thursday preceding an Election Day..
February 28, 2026 Early voting ends: Early voting ends 3 p.m. on the last Saturday before election.. . Note: The original date is February 28, which is a Saturday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - February 30
March 3, 2026 Same day registration only during the early voting period: Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place during Early voting period ONLY. N.C.G.S.A. § 163-865.

General Election - November 3,2026​

November General election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday of the month of November

Poll Hours: 6:30 AM-7:30 PM

November General Election Election's Important Dates:
October 9, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline In Person: In North Carolina, the civilian voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day. North Carolina is one of the States that have enacted same day registration only during the early voting period..
October 9, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Once completed, the application should be printed, signed and then mailed to the county board of elections in the county where the applicant resides .
October 9, 2026 Voter Registration Deadline Online: You may apply to register to vote online. Once completed, the application is sent to the N.C. State Board of Elections, which handles voter registrations. If there are any issues with the application or if more information is needed, your county board of elections will contact you to complete the process .
October 15, 2026 Early voting begins: Early voting starts the Third Thursday preceding an Election Day..
October 31, 2026 Early voting ends: Early voting ends 3 p.m. on the last Saturday before election.. . Note: The original date is October 31, which is a Saturday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 33
November 3, 2026 Same day registration only during the early voting period: Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place during Early voting period ONLY. N.C.G.S.A. § 163-865.

NOTES​

This page contains dates and deadlines information on elections occurring in North Carolina

Election dates,voter registration deadlines,early voting, absenstee voting, and voting hours apply to statewide elections in most cases. However, Check with your Town Clerk for the hours of voting, and voter registration deadlines as they vary by town. Please be advised that these dates are updated regularly but are subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

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