Voting is starting in NC’s 2026 primary election. Here’s what voters need to know
Voters across North Carolina will cast ballots starting Thursday in races that will decide who wins primary elections and moves onto November.
Early voting in Mecklenburg County begins on Thursday at 8 a.m., giving residents the chance to weigh in before Election Day. From where to cast a ballot to what kind of ID to bring, there are several key deadlines and rules voters should know.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s on my ballot in the March primary?
At the top of the March 3 primary ballot is North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate contest, a race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
On the Democratic side, former Gov. Roy Cooper leads a primary field that also includes candidates such as Robert Colon and Justin Dues. On the Republican side, former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley is running for the nomination with support from President Donald Trump. Also in the race are Michelle Morrow, a former Republican nominee for state superintendent of public instruction, and Don Brown, a past congressional candidate.
Voters will also weigh in on U.S. House primaries across the state’s 14 districts.
Mecklenburg County voters will choose among several Democratic candidates for three at-large seats on the Board of County Commissioners, including incumbents Leigh Altman and Arthur Griffin. Other candidates in the Democratic primary are Leslie Allen, Nichel Dunlap, Toni Emehel, Sharif Hannan, Heather Morrow, Olivia Scott and Felicia R. Thompkins. No Republican candidates have filed for the at-large seats.
In Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 1, Democrats Jessica Finkel, Morris McAdoo and Adam Pasiak are competing in the primary, while Republican Aaron Marin has filed for the seat. In District 2, Democrats Monifa Drayton and Vilma Leake face off, with Republican Angela White Edwards also running. In District 3, Democrat Phil Carey is challenging incumbent George Dunlap in the primary.
Several races are uncontested. District 4 Commissioner Mark Jerrell is running without opposition, as are District 5 candidate Charles DeLoach and District 6 Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell. Incumbent Clerk of Superior Court Elisa Chinn Gary is also the sole candidate for her office.
In the race for sheriff, incumbent Garry McFadden faces fellow Democrats Rodney Collins, Antwain Nance and Ricky Robbins in the primary.
Voters will see two contested judicial primaries on the ballot in Mecklenburg County. In North Carolina District Court District 26, Seat 18, Democrats Habekah Cannon and Cecilia Oseguera are competing for the nomination, while in the 5th Superior Court Division, Judicial District 26C, Democrats George Guise and Caleb Newman face off. All other judicial candidates on the ballot are running unopposed in their respective races.
Do I need an ID to vote?
Voters are expected to bring a photo ID to the polls, but everyone will still be allowed to cast a ballot, even if they don’t have one with them, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections. Anyone who can’t show a photo ID will need to complete an exception form at their polling place. A full list of acceptable IDs, including certain student and government employee IDs, is available at ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id#acceptable.
How do I know what’s on my ballot?
To vote in a North Carolina municipal election, you must live within the city or town limits for at least 30 days before Election Day. If you’re not sure what applies to you, the State Board of Elections’ voter search tool lets you see what’s on your ballot and confirm your jurisdiction under the “Your Jurisdictions” tab.
You can also look up your sample ballot, district, current elected officials and polling place by entering your address on the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website at apps.meckboe.org/addressSearch_New.aspx.
How can I register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote in the primary was Feb. 6, but if you missed that deadline, you can still register and vote during early voting through same-day registration at early voting sites, as long as you provide proof of residence. Proof of residence includes any of these documents:
- A North Carolina driver’s license
- Other photo ID issued by a government agency
- A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing the voter’s name and address
- For students living on campus, a document from an educational institution with the student’s name and on-campus housing address.
Voters can download a registration form in English or Spanish, fill it out and mail it to the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections at 741 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 2020, Charlotte, NC 28204. Those who live outside Mecklenburg County can look up their local board of elections office at vt.ncsbe.gov/BOEInfo.
How can I update my registration?
Existing N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles customers can update their voter registration through its online voter registration application.
To make changes online, you’ll need your North Carolina driver’s license or DMV-issued ID number, along with your Social Security number and date of birth. If you don’t have that information, you can update your registration by mailing in a voter registration form.
Where can I vote?
People can vote at any location during the early voting period. Locations are as follows:
- West Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road., Charlotte, NC 28216
- Rea Village Shopping Center, 11508 Providence Road, Suite E, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Point Business Park, 8936 Northpointe Executive Park Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078
- Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
- Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte, NC 28213
- Hal Marshall Annex, 618 N. College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
- Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212
- Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews, NC 28105
- Mint Hill Masonic Lodge, 10224 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227
- Hillcrest/Bradshaw Center, 8501 Bellhaven Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28214
- North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC 28078
- Pineville Library, 505 Main St., Pineville, NC 28134
- South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road., Charlotte, NC 28277
- SouthPark Regional Library, 7015 Carnegie Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209
- Steele Creek Masonic Lodge, 13611 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28273
- Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210
- Former University City Library, 301 East W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262
- Waymer Recreation Center, 14008 Holbrooks Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078
- Amay James Recreation Center, 2425 Lester St., Charlotte, NC 28208
On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned polling place to cast a ballot. You can find your designated location by visiting the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections website or by using the voter search tool at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup and checking under “Your Voting Locations.”
When is early voting?
In Mecklenburg County, the early voting period for the March 3 primary runs from Thursday, Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 28.
Early voting locations are open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
If I’m an unaffiliated voter, can I still vote in the primary?
Yes. Any voter who lives in a jurisdiction holding a primary can take part, regardless of party affiliation. But voters must declare what primary they wish to cast a ballot in when they vote. Voters are not able to vote in the primary of more than one party.
I’m a college student. Should I vote?
The N.C. State Board of Elections advises college students to vote where they live while attending school if they do not plan to return home after graduation. Students who expect to move back to their hometown are encouraged to vote there instead. Voters may only participate in one municipal election at a time.
I’m 17 years old but will be 18 by the general election. Can I still vote in the election?
Yes, as long as a voter will be 18 by the time of the general election, they may participate in the primary election.
How can I request an absentee ballot?
Registered voters can request absentee ballots by filling out a request form. You can:
1. Use the online North Carolina Absentee Portal by visiting votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home.
2. Print the form and submit it to your county’s board of elections in-person or by mail. The form is available in English and Spanish from ncsbe.gov/voting.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Can someone request an absentee ballot for you in NC?
Yes. A near relative or legal guardian can request a ballot for you, according to the State Board of Elections. A near relative can be your:
- Spouse
- Child or stepchild
- Brother or sister
- Parent or stepparent
- Mother/father-in-law
- Son/daughter-in-law
- Grandparent/grandchild
Anyone requesting a ballot on behalf of a voter must provide their name, address, and relationship to the voter on the absentee request form.
How to return your absentee ballot in NC
Absentee ballots can be returned:
- By mail.
- By commercial courier service, such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS.
- In person at your county board of elections office.
- In person at an open early voting site in your county.
You may not return an absentee ballot to a polling place on Election Day.
How can you track your absentee ballot in NC?
Once you have requested your absentee ballot, you can track its status by signing up online for status notifications through BallotTrax, according to the NCSBE.
To register, you’ll need to enter your first and last name, date of birth and zip code.
After you register, you can sign up to receive email, text and/or voice notifications about the status of your mail-in ballot.
What if I have any other questions?
Voters with questions about elections in Mecklenburg County can call the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections at 704-336-2133.
For broader state election questions, the North Carolina State Board of Elections can be reached by phone at (919) 814-0700 or by email at elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov.
This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
