2026 General Election begins this week in NC; Here’s what you need to know

NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY) — Voting in North Carolina’s 2026 general election begins this week as county boards of elections prepare to send absentee-by-mail ballots to voters who requested them.

On Friday, Sept. 4, North Carolina’s 100 county boards of elections will begin sending absentee ballots to eligible voters. Election Day is Nov. 3.

North Carolina will be the first state in the country to send absentee ballots to voters for the 2026 midterm general election, according to the State Board of Elections.

“Election officials across North Carolina will start mailing absentee ballots out later this week and are prepared to serve voters throughout this important election season,” said Sam Hayes, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “All registered voters can choose how they wish to cast their ballot: by mail, in person during the 17-day early voting period, or in person on Election Day.”

Absentee voting in North Carolina

Any registered North Carolina voter can request an absentee ballot. Voters can request one through the state’s absentee ballot portal or by completing an absentee ballot request form and returning it to their county board of elections.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 20. Election officials encourage voters to request ballots early enough to allow time for completion and return.

Completed absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Voters can return absentee ballots by mail or in person at their county board of elections or at any early voting site in their county during the early voting period.

Military and overseas voters have different deadlines and options for returning absentee ballots.

Voters who receive an absentee ballot but decide to vote in person can still cast a ballot during early voting or on Election Day. The State Board of Elections advises voters to discard the unused absentee ballot.

What voters need to know

Absentee voters should follow the instructions included with their ballot materials. Voters must seal their ballot in the ballot container envelope and have two witnesses or a notary sign the envelope.

Voters also must provide a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID in the designated sleeve on the back of the envelope. Voters who cannot provide a copy can complete the Photo ID Exception Form included with their absentee ballot materials.

Absentee voters can track their ballot through BallotTrax, which provides notifications about the ballot’s status.

Sample ballots are also available through the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool.

The cost of returning an absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service is currently $1.98, or three Forever stamps.

Important 2026 election dates

• Sept. 4: Absentee ballots must be available and distributed to military and overseas voters.
• Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline at 5 p.m.
• Oct. 15: In-person early voting begins. Same-day registration is available.
• Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline at 5 p.m.
• Oct. 31: In-person early voting ends at 3 p.m.
• Nov. 3: Election Day. Absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m.

Voters with questions about absentee ballots can contact their county board of elections.