Absentee voting for North Carolina’s 2026 primary election will begin on Monday, January 12, as county boards of elections start mailing ballots to registered voters who have requested them. This process marks the official start of voting ahead of the state’s March 3 primary.
Voters who have already submitted absentee ballot requests should expect to receive their ballots in the coming days. Any eligible voter in North Carolina is permitted to request and vote by mail. More information about absentee voting can be found at Vote By Mail.
The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is Tuesday, February 17. Election officials recommend that voters submit their requests as early as possible to allow enough time for both delivery and return of ballots. Ballots must be received by county boards of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, March 3.
A recent change in state law has eliminated the grace period that previously allowed mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within three days after the election. Now, all absentee ballots must arrive at the county board office by the close of polls on Election Day.
During the primary election, voters select party nominees who will advance to the general election on November 3. Voters registered with a political party receive a ballot featuring candidates from their party. Unaffiliated voters may choose any one party’s ballot with a primary or opt for a nonpartisan ballot if available in their area. The Green Party and Libertarian Party will not hold primaries in North Carolina this year.
Sample ballots are available through the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool. After locating their voter record, individuals can view sample ballots under “Your Sample Ballot.” Unaffiliated voters may see multiple ballot styles and can choose which one they wish to use when requesting an absentee ballot or voting in person.
For absentee voting, two witnesses or a notary public must confirm that a voter completed their ballot and sign the return envelope accordingly. Additionally, by-mail voters are required to include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID with their ballot envelope; black-and-white copies are accepted as long as they are legible. Those unable to provide an ID should complete and submit the Photo ID Exception Form included with absentee materials.
Key dates for North Carolina’s 2026 primary election include:
– January 12: County boards begin mailing absentee ballots.
– February 6: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).
– February 12: In-person early voting starts; same-day registration available.
– February 17: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).
– February 28: End of in-person early voting (3 p.m.).
– March 3: Primary Election Day; deadline for returning absentee ballots (7:30 p.m.).
– March 13: County canvass meetings (11 a.m.).
Deadlines differ for military and overseas citizen voters.
Additional resources such as tools for tracking absentee ballots and checking voter registration status are available through official state channels.
