Eligible individuals who want to cast their ballot by mail or on Election Day, Nov. 3, must register to vote by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.Individuals who miss the deadline may register and vote during the early voting period at any early voting site in their county. These “same-day registrants” must attest to their eligibility, including U.S. citizenship, provide proof of where they live, and show an acceptable form of photo ID. The early voting period begins Oct. 15 and ends Oct. 31.
Press Releases
State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes issued the following statement on today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding the SAVE database:“The State Board welcomes today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Both the United States Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution are clear: you must be a citizen of the United States to register and vote in our elections.
The State Board of Elections invites members of the public to comment on the State Board’s initial determination that nearly 30 existing administrative rules are still necessary.
Tuesday, September 15 is National Voter Registration Day.
The public comment period opens on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026.
The State Board of Elections will hold an in-person meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
This notice has been updated to include a public link to livestream the event via Webex.
Note: This reconvened State Board meeting has a new Webex link for the public.
North Carolina State Board of Elections officials will host an in-person media availability at 3 p.m. Thursday, September 3, to discuss preparations for the 2026 general election, including the initial sending of absentee ballots on Friday, Sept. 4, to voters who have requested them.The event, for credentialed members of the media only, will be held at the State Board office on the third floor of the Dobbs Building, located at 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
On Friday, North Carolina’s 100 county boards of elections will begin sending absentee-by-mail ballots to voters who requested a ballot for this election.That day, North Carolina will become the first state in the country to send absentee ballots to voters, marking the start of voting in the 2026 midterm general election. Election Day is November 3. For more information, go to Upcoming Election.