North Carolina -- October 14, 2026: As North Carolina prepares for the upcoming election, eligible voters across the state will have the opportunity to cast their ballots early in person. Early voting, officially known as one-stop early voting, offers residents flexible hours, multiple countywide locations, and the option to register and vote on the same visit.
Where and When to Vote Early
Unlike Election Day, when voters must cast their ballot at their assigned precinct, registered voters during the early voting period can vote at any authorized one-stop early voting site located within their county of residence.
Operating days, hours, and site counts vary across North Carolina's 100 counties. While state law establishes the overall early voting window, individual county boards of elections set specific schedules for each site. Voters can verify exact local times and find their nearest polling site using the North Carolina Early Voting Site Search.
Same-Day Registration Available
Residents who missed the standard voter registration deadline still have an avenue to participate. Under North Carolina law, individuals who are eligible to vote but have not yet registered can complete same-day registration at any early voting site in their county during early voting hours.
To use same-day registration, applicants must complete a voter registration application and provide acceptable proof of residence showing their current name and physical address. Approved proof of residence documents include a North Carolina driver's license, a current utility bill, a bank statement, a government paycheck, or another official government-issued document. Full requirements are outlined on the North Carolina State Board of Elections Registration Portal.
Photo ID Requirements at the Polls
In-person voters in North Carolina will be asked to present an acceptable photo ID when checking in at their polling site. A wide variety of standard identifications are accepted, including:
North Carolina driver's licenses or state-issued non-operator IDs
U.S. passports and passport cards
Military and veterans ID cards issued by the federal government
Approved college, university, and community college student IDs
Approved state or local government employee IDs
Free voter photo IDs issued by county boards of elections
Voters who do not possess an acceptable photo ID can still vote. Election workers will provide an ID Exception Form to document a valid barrier to showing ID, or voters can cast a provisional ballot and bring an acceptable ID to their county board of elections office by the designated deadline following the election. Complete details and exceptions can be reviewed on the North Carolina Voter ID Information page.
Preparing Before Heading to the Polls
Election officials encourage all voters to verify their voter record and review their options prior to casting a ballot. Voters can confirm their registration status, check party affiliation, and review their official sample ballot using the North Carolina Voter Registration Lookup Tool. For specific questions regarding local procedures or site accessibility, voters can contact their Local County Board of Elections.