October 9 | Voter registration deadline ends at 5 PM
Same-day voter registration is only available during early in-person voting. 
How to register. >

October 15 | Early in-person voting begins
Same-day registration available. 
How to register. >

October 20 | Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Learn how to vote by mail. >

October 31 | Early in-person voting ends
Find early voting sites in your county. >

November 3 | Absentee ballots due by 5 PM

November 3 | Election day
Election day voting ends at 7:30 PM. If you're in line by or before 7:30 PM, stay in line and you can still vote. 
Look up your election day polling location. >

State Lines Election Specials

During major election cycles, PBS North Carolina's public affairs team sits down for in-depth conversations with candidates running for elected office in North Carolina. PBS North Carolina has invited major party candidates to a one-on-one interview with State Lines host and executive producer Kelly McCullen. Interviews are scheduled throughout the summer and early fall.

Watch State Lines every Friday, 8:30 PM on PBS NC and on the PBS app. 

Watch the candidate interviews here. >

Black Issues Forum Election Specials

Black Issues Forum will present two specials examining how political power is exercised, contested and experienced by North Carolina communities. One conversation will evolve from the story of Taylortown, a historically Black municipality near Pinehurst, where local leaders waged a fight for greater control over decisions affecting their community. Another conversation will follow North Carolina A&T students who organized after an on-campus early voting site was not included in the 2026 primary voting plan.

Watch Black Issues Forum's election specials premiering Friday, 10/2, 7 PM and Friday, 10/9, 7 PM on PBS NC and the PBS app.

Fridays on PBS NC

Every Friday night, turn to PBS NC to uncover the week’s top stories with experienced journalists and thoughtful analysis from reliable experts.

PBS NC Schedule

6 PM PBS News Hour
7 PM Black Issues Forum
7:30 PM ncIMPACT
8 PM Washington Week with The Atlantic
8:30 PM State Lines

Watch these shows and more on PBS NC, and streaming online and on the free PBS app.

Find information about Election Day, deadlines for voter registration in North Carolina and more. Explore frequently asked questions below.

Visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website for the most up-to-date information. 
 

What is the deadline to register to vote in North Carolina? 

In North Carolina, voters must register at least 25 days before a regular election. 

Learn more on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website. > 
 

Can I register to vote during early voting?

Eligible voters may register to vote during early voting in person at a polling place in their county. Same-day registration is not available for most voters on Election Day. 

Learn more about same-day registration. > 
 

How do I register to vote in North Carolina? 

You can register to vote by mail-in application and through voter registration agencies, like the DMV. If you miss the voter registration deadline, you may register at the polls during early voting periods. 

Learn more on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website. > 
 

Am I registered to vote in North Carolina? 

Find out if you are registered to vote by entering your information into the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool. 
 

Do I need an ID to vote in North Carolina? 

In North Carolina, voters will be asked for photo identification to vote at the polls and for voting by mail. There are many acceptable types of photo ids, and the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles is offering “no fee” ID cards.  

See current lists of acceptable IDs on the North Carolina Board of Elections website. If unsure, voters should confirm the eligibility of their ID with the North Carolina State Board of Elections. 

Learn more on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website. > 
 

How do I vote early?  

During the early voting period, voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. This is different than Election Day, when registered voters must vote at their assigned polling place. 

Find early voting locations for your county. > 
 

Who is on the ballot?  

To find your sample ballot, review your voter record and corresponding “Your Sample Ballot” section.  

Find your voter record in Voter Search. > 
 

Can I vote by absentee ballot in North Carolina? 

Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote a mail-in absentee ballot. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official NC Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form: online and on paper.

Learn more about absentee-by-mail voting in North Carolina. > 
 

Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections, www.ncsbe.gov