Election Day in North Carolina and across the US is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. But if you’re planning to vote in the election, which includes high-profile races for the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, there are a lot of other important dates to keep in mind.
Cardinal & Pine’s online portal can help you get started on checking your voter registration status, updating your voter registration, requesting an absentee ballot, and more.
Here’s your calendar of key dates in North Carolina’s 2026 midterm elections:
FRIDAY, SEPT. 4: Absentee ballots are to be distributed to military and overseas voters.
FRIDAY, OCT. 9: The deadline to register to vote at 5 p.m. Voters can still register or update their registration during early voting. You can register to vote or update your voter registration at this link.
THURSDAY, OCT. 15: Early voting begins across North Carolina. Voters can register to vote or update their registration at an early voting site.
TUESDAY, OCT. 20: The deadline to request an absentee ballot by 5 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31: The final day of early voting. Polls close at 3 p.m.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3: Election Day. This is the last day to vote in North Carolina in the midterm elections. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. local time. You will be able to vote if you are in line at your assigned polling place by 7:30 p.m.. Mailed absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. to be counted.
Need help getting ready to vote? Use our online portal below to see what’s on your ballot, find your polling place, and register to vote.
