Still haven’t voted? What to know if you’re headed to the polls on Election Day
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Check registration, assigned precinct and sample ballot online.
- Bring an accepted photo ID or fill an ID-exception form to cast a provisional ballot.
- Read The N&O’s voter guide to see candidates’ views on immigration, taxes and health care.
It’s Election Day in North Carolina, and it’s not too late to cast your ballot for a bevy of primary-election races that will determine who proceeds to the general election in November.
If you’re planning to vote today, here’s everything you need to know about who’s on the ballot and how to make your vote count.
Make sure you’re registered
Before heading to the polls, you can check your voter registration online at vt.ncsbe.gov/reglkup/
The deadline to register to vote in this election has passed, and same-day registration is not available on Election Day.
If you’re unsure about your registration status, you can still show up to vote and may be asked to cast a provisional ballot.
The voter registration site will tell you which precinct you have to vote at. Unlike during early voting, Election Day voters have to cast their ballot at their assigned precinct rather than picking any available poll site.
Your registration will also show which political party you’re affiliated with, which determines your ballot in the primary. Voter registered as Republicans can only vote in Republican primaries and Democrats may only vote in Democratic primaries.
Voters who are registered as unaffiliated can choose to participate in either primary — but cannot vote in both.
Who’s on my ballot?
When you check your voter registration online, you can also find a sample ballot which will show all the contests you’ll be able to vote in when you head to the polls.
Since this is a primary election, most races are just about choosing a nominee for each party. Those nominees will then run in the general election in November, which will determine who actually takes office.
This year is a midterm election, which means the presidency and governorship are not on the ballot, but every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and the state legislature is. North Carolina also has a U.S. Senate race on the ballot to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican.
To learn more about the candidates, check out The News & Observer’s voter guide.
When can I vote?
On Election Day, all polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
If you’re in line at your assigned precinct by 7:30 p.m., you’ll be allowed to vote regardless of how long the line is.
What do I need to bring to the polls?
North Carolina law requires voters to provide photo identification in order to cast their ballot.
Acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, passport and some college IDs.
If you show up to the polls without a voter ID, you can still cast a provisional ballot by filling out an ID exception form.
Can I still turn in an absentee ballot?
If you’ve requested an absentee ballot and haven’t yet mailed it in, it is likely too late to send it by mail. North Carolina law requires all absentee ballots to arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters can hand-deliver an absentee ballot their county board of elections office on Election Day, but they may not drop it off at a polling site.
A legal guardian or near relative can also drop the ballot off on your behalf.
Voters who have requested an absentee ballot can also choose to vote in-person instead, so long as they have not sent in the mail ballot. If you decide to do so, just discard the absentee ballot and then show up to your assigned precinct to cast your ballot.
What if I have to cast a provisional ballot?
If there are questions about a voter’s eligibility, they may be asked to cast a provisional ballot.
A provisional ballot is held aside while county election officials conduct research on the voter’s eligibility. If the officials determine the voter is eligible, the ballot will be counted like normal — but it may be thrown out if a voter is found to be ineligible.
A variety of circumstances require voters to cast a provisional ballot, including not showing up with a photo ID, having an unreported address change or voting at the incorrect precinct.
Voters can check the status of their provisional ballot online at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegProvPIN/
Check out the N&O’s voter guide
The N&O and Charlotte Observer have published candidate questionnaires for all state and federal races on the ballot this year.
We asked questions about the economy, health care, immigration and biographical details of over 200 candidates running for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, N.C. Court of Appeals and the state legislature.
That voter guide is available here.
The N&O’s editorial board (which is separate from the newsroom) has also released endorsements in a variety of federal, state and local primary races.
This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
