The registered voters In North Carolina, you can request a mail-in ballot at the general elections of November 3, 2026.
September 4: ballots begin to be sent out
Beginning September 4, 2026, county election boards will begin send the ballots by mail to voters who have requested them.
You don't need to wait until that date to request a ballot. September 4th marks the start of the mailing of requested ballots.
October 20: Deadline to request a ballot
The county board of elections must receive the mail-in ballot request no later than October 20, 2026 at 5:00 pm
The application can be made online or using the official paper form.
Requesting the ticket in advance allows more time to receive it, complete it, and return it.
Related: How to request a mail-in ballot in North Carolina in 2026
November 3rd: deadline to return the ticket
The completed ballot must be received by the county board of elections no later than 7:30 pm on November 3, 2026, the day of the general election.
This means that simply mailing your ballot on November 3rd is not enough. The county board of elections must receive it by 7:30 pm.
Ballots can be mailed or delivered in person to the county board of elections. During the early voting period, they can also be delivered in person to an early voting center.
On election day, mail-in ballots cannot be dropped off at a regular polling place. They must be delivered to the county board of elections office by 7:30 p.m.
How to check the status of a ticket?
Voters can use BallotTrax to track the status of a mail-in ballot, from when it is prepared for shipment until it is accepted by the election authorities.
Related: Voting for the first time in 2026? Tips for participating in North Carolina elections
Dates to remember
- September 4: Requested ballots begin to be mailed.
- October 20 at 5:00 pm: deadline for the county board of elections to receive the application for a mail-in ballot.
- November 3 at 7:30 pm: deadline for the county election board to receive the completed ballot.
Official resources for voting by mail
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