The 2026 midterm general election is today, with 14 North Carolina U.S. House Seats and one U.S. Senate seat up for election.
During this election, N.C. voters will be able to choose between four U.S. Senate candidates. Additionally, all 14 N.C. district seats for the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. Voters will also be given further elected offices to vote on based on their location.
There are several districts located in Western N.C., including NC-5, 10, 11, 12 and 14. The N.C. Board of Elections website provides a tool that voters can use to find their district. Additionally, several Western N.C. counties will be voting for local seats, including mayors, judicial seats, school board members and more.
Here’s what to know today.
What is a midterm election? Who do you vote for in a midterm election?
The U.S. Vote Foundation explains that in short, midterm general elections are “all about Congress.” Presidential general elections fall every four years, and midterm elections fall at the two-year mark in between this cycle every four years.
Congress, which is the Legislative Branch of the U.S. government, is made up of 435 House of Representatives members and 100 Senators. The Vote Foundation explains that Congress “provides a check and balance on the Executive Branch of our government, led by the President and Vice President,” meaning that a change in the composition of Congress can “create a dramatic power shift in the function of an administration.”
What are we voting for today, Nov. 3, in North Carolina?
In the 2026 midterm election, the following seats are up for election statewide:
- One U.S. Senate seat
- 14 U.S. House seats
- 1 N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice seat
- 3 N.C. Court of Appeals Judge seats
- Statewide referenda
- 50 N.C. Senate seats
- 120 N.C. House seats
Additionally, local judges and district attorneys, county offices like sheriffs, county commissioners, and Board of Education members and municipal election options in some jurisdictions may be on your ballot based on where you live.
You can find your sample ballot via the state’s voter search here.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina?
There are four Senate candidates on the ballot in North Carolina:
- Roy Cooper (Democrat)
- Michael Whatley (Republican)
- Michael Dublin (Green)
- Shannon Bray (Libertarian)
Who is running for Congress in North Carolina?
All 14 N.C. U.S. House of Representatives districts have elections Nov. 3, with the candidate on each ballot depending on where you live. Some of the westernmost district races in NC include:
- NC-5 – Virginia Foxx (Incumbent Republican), Chuck Hubbard (Democrat) and Robert Luffman (Libertarian)
- NC-10 – Pat Harrigan (Incumbent Republican), Ashley Bell (Democrat) and Steven Feldman (Libertarian)
- NC-11 – Jamie Ager (Democrat), Jennifer Balkcom (Republican) and Travis Groo (Libertarian)
- NC-12 – Alma Adams (Incumbent Democrat) and Jack Codiga (Republican)
- NC-14 – Timothy K. Moore (Incumbent Republican) and Lakesha Womack (Democrat)
What are the N.C. Constitutional amendments on the ballot?
Additionally, there are three ballot measures on the ballot today, including:
- N.C. Voter Identification Amendment – Would amend the N.C. Constitution to require photo ID to vote for all voters, not just those voting in person
- N.C. Property Tax Levy Limit Amendment – Would amend the N.C. Constitution to require the state legislature to pass laws limiting the amount that local governments may increase property taxes
- N.C. Reduce Income Tax Rate Cap from 7% to 3.5% Amendment – Would amend the N.C. Constitution to reduce the maximum allowable income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%
Who is on the ballot in Buncombe County?
In Buncombe County, ballots will include judicial seats up for election, including N.C. District 40 District Court, Prosecutorial Court and Superior Court. County seats up for election include Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Districts 1, 2 and 3, County Clerk of Superior Court, Sheriff, Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. Buncombe County Schools seats up for election include school board Districts 3, 5 and 6.
In Asheville, seats up for election include City Council and Mayor. Asheville City Schools Board of Education seats are also up for election. In Black Mountain, seats up for election include Town Council and Mayor. In Montreat, seats up for election include Town Commissioner.
Who is on the ballot in Henderson County?
In Henderson County, ballots will include judicial seats up for election, including N.C. District 42 District Court and Prosecutorial Court District 42. County seats up for election include Henderson County Board of Commissioners Districts 1, 3 and 4, County Clerk of Superior Court, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors and County Schools board at-large.
In Hendersonville, seats up for election include City Council At Large and Mayor. In Flat Rock, seats up for election include Village Council Districts 1, 2 and 3. In Fletcher, seats up for election include Town Council Districts 1 and 4 and Mayor. In Laurel Park, seats up for election include Town Council. In Mills River, seats up for election include Town Council Districts 1, 2 and 3. In Saluda, seats up for election include Mayor of Saluda and City Commission.
Who is on the ballot in Madison County?
In Madison County, judicial seats up for election include N.C. District 35 District Court, Prosecutorial Court and Superior Court. Madison County seats up for election include Board of Commissioners, Clerk of Superior Court, Sheriff, Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, County Schools Districts 1 and 2 and County Schools Chair.
Reporting by Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
