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North Carolina 2026 Election
Voting in the 2026 election officially begins on Sept. 4, with the initial sending of absentee ballots to voters who requested them. That is followed by in-person early voting (Oct. 15 to Oct. 31), and, of course, Election Day.
Statewide General Election
The statewide general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. This election is also known as the “midterm,” as it is held two years (midway) into the four-year U.S. presidential term. Seats up for election include:
- 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
- Local judges and district attorneys
- County offices like sheriffs, county commissioners, and Board of Education members
- Municipal elections in some jurisdictions
Find lists of candidates and referendums on the 2026 ballot at Candidate Lists.
Voter Dates and Deadlines
- Sept. 4: Absentee ballots must be available and distributed to military and overseas voters. For more, see Vote by Mail.
- Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).* For more, see How to Register.
- Oct. 15: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available. For more, see Vote Early in Person.
- Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*
- Oct. 31: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
- Nov. 3: Election Day. For more, see Vote in Person on Election Day.
- Nov. 3: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).*
Find other important dates for the election on our web calendar: Voter Dates & Deadlines.
*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
North Carolina Board of Elections Website
Polk County Board of Elections Website
2026 SAMPLE BALLOTS
There are two main ballots for Polk County voters (not in town/city limits), the only difference is the US House of Representatives candidate (Jennifer Balkcom-D11 or Tim Moore-D14)
Not sure which ballot is yours? Check here. Want to see your voter record or a candidate's voter record? Check here.
Search Tip: You must enter the legal first name when you use the Voter Search.
Congressional District 11 (Coopers Gap, Saluda & part of White Oak)
Congressman Chuck Edwards is our current US Rep for District 11. He withdrew his name from the ballot in August; Representative Jennifer Balkcom (NC House District 117) was nominated by the NCGOP Congressional District 11 Executive Committee to fill the vacancy on the ballot.
Congressional District 14 (Columbus 1 & 2, Green Creek, Tryon, part of White Oak)
Congressman Tim Moore is our current US Rep for District 14 and is on the ballot seeking reelection!
There are three Municipal ballots for voters INSIDE town/city limits:
Town of Columbus, City of Saluda and Town of Tryon
Columbus - B0003 - Republican Sample Ballot
Saluda - B0004 - Republican Sample Ballot
Tryon - B0005 - Republican Sample Ballot
Not sure which ballot is yours? Check here.
Want to see your voter record or a candidate's voter record? Check here.
Search Tip: You must enter the legal first name when you use the Voter Search.
Questions? HQ is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9am-1pm in September. Days/hours will expand in October. HQ will be open during all of Early Voting! Stop by and pick up a sample ballot. Watch your mailbox for a voter guide, they should arrive just before Early Voting starts! Thank you to our generous donors and the NCGOP Congressional District 14 Executive Committee members that made it possible!