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North Carolina Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. North Carolina primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Democratic state: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Republican presidential: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Republican state: Open to Unaffiliated Voters.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: Yes.
  • Democratic delegates: 132 total, 116 pledged, 16 unpledged, 10 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 74 total, 74 pledged, 0 unpledged, 71 alternates.

North Carolina Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
DemocraticStateOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
RepublicanPresidentialOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
RepublicanStateOpen to Unaffiliated Voters

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: Yes

North Carolina is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries and State primaries are scheduled to run on the same days

North Carolina is a PARTIALLY CLOSED election system. In this system, state law permits political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with the party to participate in their nominating contests before each election cycle. In this type of system, parties may let in unaffiliated voters, while still excluding members of opposing parties.

How It Work​

  • the Democratic and Republican parties are holding primaries. Voters registered with either of these parties will receive their party’s primary ballot. An unaffiliated voter may choose to participate in one of these party primaries, or select a nonpartisan ballot, if available in their jurisdiction. Because their parties do not have primaries, registered Green Party or Libertarian Party voters may only vote a nonpartisan ballot, if available in their jurisdiction

North Carolina Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

North Carolina presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party1321161610Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party7474071Proportional,Winner-Take-MostNot specified

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic party will send a total of 132 Delegate Votes (116 Pledged, 16 unpledged) and 18 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 76
  • At-large Delegates: 25
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 15
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 16
  • Alternate Delegates: 10

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 10
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 7
  • Dem. Governors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Republican party will send a total of 74 Delegate Votes (42 district-level, 29 at-large, 3 RNC) and 71 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. The party will use a combination of Winner-Take-Most (district level) and Proportional (state level) representation systems based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 42
  • At-large Delegates: 29
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 71

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: