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N.C. Primary Elections Absentee Ballot Return Deadline

March 3
A well manicured hand wearing a Meredith ring holds up a "Meredith Votes" pin.

The 2026 N.C. Primary Absentee Ballot return deadline is March 3rd by 7:30 p.m. (please see note at the bottom about Mail-In ballot USPS rule change for 2026)

The N.C. Primary Election Day is March 3rd, 2026.

 

To learn more about the election and dates, visit https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election 

To learn more about absentee voting, visit https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail 

To learn more about elections in Raleigh specifically, visit https://raleighnc.gov/government/services/vote-local-our-community-our-city-your-vote

 

Important Tips for Voters

  • Check your registration: Voters can check to make sure their registration information is accurate and up to date using the Voter Search tool. There, you can also find your polling place, absentee ballot information, and more.
  • Find your sample ballot: All eligible, registered voters will find their sample ballot(s) in the “Your Sample Ballot” section of their Voter Search profile when they become available. For even-year elections, sample ballots are typically available 50 days before Election Day.
  • Don’t forget your photo ID: North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Learn more: Voter ID.
  • Three ways to vote: Follow the links below to learn about the voting methods available to voters.
    1. Vote Early in Person
    2. Vote in Person on Election Day
    3. Vote By Mail*

*RULE CHANGE FOR 2026: For voting by mail, please be aware that the Trump administration has provided new rules to the U.S. Postal Service that changes the postmark date guidelines so that instead of your mail being postmarked the date that you mailed it, it will now not be postmarked until it runs through an automated machine, which could be days later. You are still able to take your mail up to the counter at the USPS and request they postmark it in person there to show it is on time. If you mail day-of, and do not do a manual postmarking, your ballot has a chance of being disqualified if it is not read by the machine that day. This is important to know so you can plan to mail days in advance (do not wait until last minute).

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