Important Dates
Election Day

March 3, 2026 by 7:30pm
 

Absentee Voting-by-mail Opens

January 12, 2026
 

Voter Registration Deadline

February 6, 2026 by 5pm
 

Early Voting Begins/Ends

February 12/February 28 by 3pm
Note: Same day voter registration is available during this time. Learn more at the Dare County Department of Elections.
 

Requests for Absentee Ballots Ends

February 17, 2026 by 5 pm

Civilian Absentee Ballots are Due

March 3, 2026 by 7:30 pm
Note: You may not return an absentee ballot to a polling place on Election Day.
 

Military/Oversees Absentee Ballots are Due 

March 3, 2026
The ballot return deadline via online/email or fax is 7:30 pm ET on Election Day and the deadline via mail is 12:01 a.m. on Election Day (your local time).

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Identification is Required to Vote

You may use any of the following that is unexpired, or expired for one year or less:

• North Carolina driver’s license

• State ID from the NCDMV (also called “non-operator ID”)

• Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)

• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card

• North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections 

• College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections (see callout below)

• State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections (see box below)

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Note: A voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.

You may also use any of the following, regardless of whether the ID contains an expiration or issuance date:

• Military or veterans ID card (with photo) issued by the U.S. government

• Tribal enrollment card with photo issued by a tribe recognized by the State of North Carolina or the federal government

• ID card (with photo) issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program

  • Note: Although this is an acceptable form of ID under North Carolina law, the State Board is not aware of any such ID in circulation that contains a photo. All IDs for voting are required to have a photo.

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Questions? Learn more at the NC Board of Elections.