Polling places in North Carolina opened at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, for the midterm elections, in which federal representatives, state legislators, local officials, and judicial officers are being elected. Voters will also decide on three proposed amendments to the state constitution.
The service will be available until 7:30 pm. If you are in line at your assigned center at that time, You will be able to vote even if it is not yet your turn..
Enlace Latino NC This article will be updated throughout the day with reports from journalists in different parts of the state and useful information for voters.
8:20 pm | North Carolina | Polls closed: Follow live results
The voting has concluded, Enlace Latino NC It continues its coverage with the preliminary results of the midterm elections.
Check our for updates Live coverage of the 2026 election results.
6:10 pm | Near the end of the day in Buncombe County
Election day in Buncombe County proceeded normally. An election observer at West Buncombe Elementary School told Enlace Latino NC The voting process was peaceful throughout the day, without incident or intimidation. The county also reported that the election proceeded smoothly throughout the day.
At 6 p.m., about 20 people were lined up to vote at West Buncombe Elementary. This polling place is in precinct 68.1, one of the county precincts with the highest number of registered Hispanic voters, according to the county's Election Services.
By 4 p.m., 21,566 people had voted in the county. The polling places with the most voters were Pole Creek Baptist Church (539) and Pisgah Elementary School (517). Adding the more than 96,800 people who voted early, over 118,000 people had already voted in Buncombe. A total of 120,558 people voted in the 2022 midterm elections.
Polling stations in Buncombe close at 7:30 pm. Those in line at that time will still be able to vote. Unofficial results will begin to be posted around 8:15 pm. State Elections Board results portal.
Report by Patricia Serrano.
5:30 pm | Charlotte | More people turn out to vote after work in the precinct with the most registered Latinos
Voter turnout increased during the afternoon in precinct 230, southwest of Charlotte, our reporter Patricia Ortiz reported. Many were arriving directly from work.
This precinct has 1,526 registered Latino voters, the highest number among the precincts in Mecklenburg County, according to the report.
There, Ortiz spoke with Ingrid, a Central American woman who had participated in previous elections. The voter explained that she goes to the polls to support those who cannot vote within her community.
The motivation to represent those who do not have that possibility was repeated in the testimonies of practically all the Latino voters interviewed by the reporter during the day.
Report by Patricia Ortiz.
4:50 pm | Wake | Voting hours extended at five centers
The first preliminary election results in North Carolina are expected around 8:15 p.m., 45 minutes later than usual. The delay is due to authorized voting extensions at five polling places in Columbus, Hertford, Lenoir, and Wilson counties following disruptions during the day.
Sam Hayes, executive director of the State Board of Elections, confirmed at a 4:00 p.m. press conference that the agency will not release results from any part of the state until all polling places have closed. The longest extension is at a polling place in Columbus, which will remain open until 8:15 p.m.
The disruptions that prompted the extensions had different causes depending on the county, the agency said.
Centers with extended hours
| County | Polling station and address | Closing |
| Columbus | South Williams–Tabor City Courthouse, 110 W. Fourth St., Tabor City | 8:15 pm |
| hertford | Como Fire and Rescue Building, 1201 US 258 North, Como | 7:55 pm |
| hertford | Murfreesboro 1–Murfee Center, 201 E. Broad St., Murfreesboro | 8 pm |
| Lenoir | K8 Holloway Recreation Center, 100 N. Myrtle Avenue, Kinston | 8 pm |
| Wilson | Wilson City Recreation Building, 500 Sunset Road, Wilson | 7:45 pm |
The extensions apply only to these five centers. Those arriving after 7:30 p.m. will have to vote using a provisional ballot, according to the NCSBE.
State law allows for an extension of voting hours when voting is interrupted for at least 15 minutes. The extension cannot exceed the duration of the interruption.
The Board noted that, with approximately 2,625 polling centers across the state, it is not unusual for minor incidents to occur that briefly disrupt voting.
Report by Claudia Rivera Cotto.
4:15 pm | Arden | Two young Latinos vote for their families and their community
José, 21, came to Lutheran Church of the Nativity to participate in an election for the first time. Upon leaving, he described how he felt: “A little nervous, but then I saw it wasn’t so scary.”
The young man, who did not provide his last name, explained Enlace Latino NC who is dissatisfied with the performance of those in power. “I wanted to come and support the people I thought might actually do something different,” he said.
At the same polling station, 20-year-old Efrén David Mendoza Ángeles voted, having already participated in the primaries. For him, exercising this right is a way to support other immigrant families.
“Being the son of an immigrant family, it’s something very important to me. Family is everything,” he expressed. “And for me, I see it as supporting not only my family, but also helping my community.”
Mendoza Ángeles explained that her work schedule had prevented her from going earlier. This Tuesday she found the time to do so and described the process as very easy.
“It’s better to do it late than not to do it at all,” he said.
Report by Patricia Serrano.
4:08 pm | Wake | What do we know so far about the turnout in North Carolina?
According to the most recent update from the National Council of State Elections Bureau (NCSBE) around 4:00 pm, 248,325 votes have been recorded during today's session in the 88 counties that had reported data up to that point.
Our reporter Claudia Rivera Cotto is at the Green Road Community Library in Raleigh, one of the polling places in Wake County, closely following the development of election day.
At this polling station in Wake County, the day is proceeding calmly, with no long lines at the time of our visit.
An important warning for those who have not yet voted: Claudia Rivera Cotto has observed several people arriving at the polling station and discovering that it was not the place where they were supposed to vote.
Unlike the early voting period, this Tuesday voters must go to their assigned polling place, based on their residential address. They must also be registered to vote, with some exceptions established by law.
Before going to the polls, they can consult the NCSBE Voter Search tool to verify your registration and confirm your polling place.
Voters must also present an accepted photo ID. Those without one can consult with election officials about exceptions and available options, including the possibility of casting a provisional ballot.
Wake is also one of three counties in North Carolina with election monitors assigned by the United States Department of JusticeAccording to confirmation this morning from the State Board of Elections, two federal monitors have been assigned to the county.
Federal monitors cannot intervene in the electoral process.
Report by Claudia Rivera Cotto.
4:00 pm | Chapel Hill | Confusion over assigned polling place leads to voters being redirected from the library
Some people went to the Chapel Hill Public Library thinking they could vote there because it was open for early voting. However, they had to be directed to their assigned polling places, the precinct's lead election official explained to the reporter. Enlace Latino NC Emilia Rivadeneira.
The polling station continues to receive voters with a moderate turnout. According to the official, 149 people had voted there at the time of the report, including a naturalized citizen and young people voting for the first time. This figure corresponds only to this polling station.
The official reminded everyone of the importance of verifying where they are supposed to vote: unlike early voting, on election day each person must go to the center assigned according to their electoral registration.
You can check yours in the official tool. Voter Search of the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Report by Emilia Rivadeneira.
3:54 pm | Mecklenburg | Constant inquiries about polling places and expected results since 8 pm
The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections has been receiving a steady stream of calls from people looking for their assigned polling place or needing to resolve questions about the election process, explained Juan Cuartas, an election specialist with the Board of Elections.
Cuartas noted that he has perceived a great interest in participating in the elections and outlined the planned schedule for counting and publishing results in the county.
As he explained, the counting of mail-in ballots would begin at 3 pm. The first preliminary results, corresponding to absentee and early voting, are expected around 8 pm or later.
The results of the votes cast today at the polling stations would begin to appear from 9 pm, and their publication could extend until midnight, he indicated.
Report by Patricia Ortiz.
3:00 pm | Chapel Hill | University students vote on the UNC campus
The Sonja Haynes Stone Center received a steady stream of students who came to the polls.
Outside, members of UNC Young Democrats and Vote4Equality set up tables early and are distributing informational materials to guide voters. Representatives from both organizations said they will remain there until the polls close, scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The precinct has 358 registered Latino voters, according to data from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Report by Emilia Rivadeneira.
2:46 pm | Durham | Voter turnout increases and a drive-through voting line forms
Between three and five cars were waiting to use the curbside voting option at Southern High School, precinct 30-2, as observed by our reporter Estefanía Pinto Ruiz. This is the first time during her coverage of this polling place that she has seen a line of several vehicles waiting.
Pinto Ruiz also noted a slight increase in the number of people entering the building during the afternoon. According to his observations, the journey from the entrance to the exit took approximately 15 minutes.
Outside, members of Durham for All continued sharing information about the three constitutional amendments. Sara Cross, a member of the organization and an opponent of the proposals, expressed her concern about the consequences she fears for public education, especially for Latino and African American students.
“I want well-resourced schools where parents, students, and teachers are happy and have everything they need,” he told Enlace Latino NC .
Cross mentioned that her son attends a school where most of the students are Hispanic. She also expressed concern about the immigration-related pressures some families face and the rising cost of food. For her, educating voters is a way to contribute to her community.
Report by Estefanía Pinto Ruiz.
2:30 pm | Buncombe | Day runs smoothly at Emma Elementary School five hours before closing
Voting is proceeding smoothly at Emma Elementary School in West Asheville, according to Lina Herrera Hernandez, Buncombe County communications specialist, who spoke to our reporter Patricia Serrano.
The center corresponds to precinct 42.1, one of those with the most registered Hispanic voters in the county, according to Buncombe Election Services.
“This is one of the five polling places where the most Latinos come. I’ve seen several people from the Latino community voting here today,” Herrera Hernández said.
In Buncombe there are about 220,000 registered voters, of which almost 7,000 are Hispanic, according to the official.
“We’ll see how many of those people vote in these elections. Turnout has been very high, so we expect a good number to vote as well,” he said.
More than 96,800 people participated in early voting in the county. As of 10 a.m. today, another 7,596 had voted, according to figures shared by Herrera Hernández.
Five hours before closing time, the official reminded everyone that the county's 80 polling places will remain open until 7:30 pm.
“If you’re in line at 7:30 at night, you’ll still have the opportunity to vote,” he said.
Report by Patricia Serrano.
2:00 pm | Durham | Activist points out the need for more election information in Spanish
Rita McDaniel, who has been involved in electoral processes in Durham for 15 years, highlighted the growth of Latino participation and expressed her concern about access to electoral information in Spanish.
“I’ve noticed a big increase in the number of Latino voters in the Durham area over the last 15 years,” he told Enlace Latino NC .
McDaniel is campaigning on behalf of People's Alliance, a progressive community organization with a political action committee that supports candidates.
From her experience, she believes that the lack of materials in Spanish makes it difficult for Latino voters to know their options.
“They need to know the candidates running for the different positions well. We receive a lot of information, but I think that the Latino community is often excluded,” he noted.
Report by Estefanía Pinto Ruiz.
1:05 pm | Charlotte | Steady turnout and participation of Latino voters in precinct 135
Voter turnout has been steady in precinct 135, northeast of Charlotte, where there are 748 registered Latino voters, according to a report by our journalist Patricia Ortiz.
Among those who attended was Guadalupe Jaimes, a Latina of Mexican descent who voted for the first time. Jaimes expressed her pride in participating and said that one of her motivations is to help ensure the safety of her family members in this country.
Francisco Molina, a Honduran mechanic who voted for the second time, also stressed the importance of participating: “I want my voice to be heard.”
At the location, Estefanía Arteaga, director and founder of Carolina Migrant Network, and a team of volunteers guide voters on the ballot, the contested positions, and the electoral process.
Arteaga described the day as calm and well-attended. He also highlighted the presence of young Latinos and expressed his expectation of broad Latino participation throughout the day.
Report by Patricia Ortiz.
12:30 pm | Durham | A young man votes, motivated by the treatment of immigrants and a sense of community.
Joan Cornejo, 26, born and raised in Durham to Mexican parents, went to vote at Southern High School in precinct 30-2. In conversation with our reporter Estefanía Pinto Ruiz, he explained that one of his main motivations is his concern about the treatment of the immigrant community.
“Since Trump came to power, it has been very unpleasant to see how the community has been treated. Not only in Durham, but also in Raleigh. You see the videos on social media about how ICE agents treat people,” he said.
Cornejo said he hopes to contribute with his vote to recovering the sense of community he remembers from his city.
“What matters most to me when I vote is bringing back that sense of community we used to have here in Durham. All my life, this has been a caring community where we try to help each other,” she said.
He also expressed his desire to see greater Latino participation in the elections.
“There are many people who cannot make their voices heard. We, who can vote, must exercise that right and do everything possible to make our voices heard, instead of remaining silent or afraid of what is happening,” she stated.
Report by Estefanía Pinto Ruiz.
12:10 pm | Raleigh | The Hispanic Center is hosting a "party at the ballot box" at Barwell Community Center
With water and pins that say “I Voted,” a team from El Centro Hispano welcomes voters to Barwell Community Center in Raleigh. The nonprofit organization is holding an event to celebrate election day and encourage voter participation.
Holly Adams, who coordinates the organization's Civic Resource Center, explained to Enlace Latino NC The initiative is called “Party at the Polls”, and it seeks to make this day a celebration.
As of 12:10 pm, voting was proceeding smoothly and no problems had been reported, according to our reporter Walter Gomez.
One voter, who did not provide his name, anticipated that more people might arrive after work and was glad to have come early.
“Many people haven’t left work yet, so there will probably be a large influx of voters this afternoon when they finish their workday. But I’m glad we came early. My vote counts,” she said as she left the center.
Report by Walter Gómez.
The Board of Elections reports 193,718 votes in 66 counties and technical problems in four
The North Carolina State Board of Elections reported that as of 10 a.m., 193,718 votes had been cast in the 66 counties that had reported their results. This figure is partial and does not represent the total for all 100 counties in the state.
During an 11 a.m. press conference, board director Sam Hayes reported technical difficulties at Hertford, Gates, Wilson, and Lenoir stations. According to officials, manual backup procedures were activated and there were no substantial delays to opening.
The board also addressed the presence of Justice Department monitors and observers in Wake, Mecklenburg, and Alamance. Officials noted that federal monitors cannot interfere in the election process or influence voters, and that the lead official at each polling place retains authority within the premises.
If you encounter difficulties voting, the recommendation is to immediately inform the election workers or the main official at your polling station.
The State Board announced it will meet during the day to evaluate possible extensions of hours at centers that experienced delays. It explained that if an extension is approved, the release of results will be delayed statewide tonight.
The results of the day will be preliminary until the official review and certification process is completed.
Report by Claudia Rivera Cotto.
11:38 am | Durham | Steady flow of voters and smooth passage through Southern High School
A steady stream of voters is being recorded at Southern High School, Durham precinct 30-2, as observed by our reporter Estefanía Pinto Ruiz during her tour.
At the time of the report, people appeared to be completing their passage through the center in approximately five minutes, according to the reporter's observations.
Outside, members of Durham for All shared information about the constitutional amendments. Pinto Ruiz also observed some voters using curbside voting.
The precinct's chief official, whose title in English is Chief Judge, declined to comment.
Report by Estefanía Pinto Ruiz.
11:11 am | Buncombe | More than 7,500 voters in the county as of 10 am
The morning is passing peacefully at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, where, at the time of the report, 170 people had voted, according to the journalist. Enlace Latino NC Patricia Serrano.
Election workers and volunteers described a slow morning, though they expect more voters to arrive throughout the day. The center is near the airport and several factories, in an area where a large part of the Latino community lives and works.
Marcos García, who has lived in the United States for over 20 years, voted there, participating in an election for the first time as a U.S. citizen. García expressed his excitement about exercising his right to vote.
According to Buncombe County Election Services, 7,596 people had voted in the county by 10:00 a.m. The polling places with the highest turnout at that time were Alexander Baptist Church, with 200 voters; Pole Creek Baptist Church, with 191; and Avery's Creek Community Center, with 176.
During early voting, 96,838 people participated in Buncombe, a record for a midterm election, surpassing the previous mark of 78,000 recorded in 2018, according to county election officials.
Buncombe currently has 80 polling stations and 475 election workers. The polls will be open until 7:30 pm. Those in line at that time will be allowed to vote.
Report by Patricia Serrano.
10:51 am | Raleigh | Peaceful voting at the John Chavis Community Center
Election day is proceeding calmly at the John Chavis Memorial Park Community Center, one of Raleigh's traditionally busiest polling places.
The presiding officer of the polling station confirmed that voting was proceeding smoothly until 10:51 am, although she noted that the turnout could change later, when voters leave their jobs.
Report by Walter Gómez.
9:47 am | Raleigh | A Latina voter participates for the first time in an incident-free election day
Voting is proceeding normally at St. James United Methodist Church in Raleigh, according to a report by a journalist. Enlace Latino NC Walter Gomez, at 9:47 am
At that center, Gomez spoke with a Latina voter who was participating in an election for the first time.
There are also posters in Spanish with the question “Questions about voting?” and the number 888-OUR-VOTE to get help.
Report by Walter Gómez.
What's being elected in North Carolina?
Voters will decide who will fill a state seat in the United States Senate and its 14 positions in the Federal House of RepresentativesThe 50 seats in the state Senate and the 120 seats in the North Carolina House of Representatives are also up for election.
The choice includes a position on the state Supreme Court, three in the Court of Appeals and other judicial and prosecutorial charges. Depending on where you liveYour ballot may also include elections for sheriffs, county commissioners, school boards, and municipal authorities.
In addition, they vote three proposed amendments to the state ConstitutionOne bill concerns the requirement of photo identification to vote, another aims to reduce the maximum allowed for income tax to 3.5%, and a third seeks to impose limits on increases in local property taxes.
Local contests vary depending on your address. You can check your sample ballot at the official voter consultation tool.
>>> To know the charges For information on contested candidacies and how to participate, please see our 2026 Election Guide.
Where are you supposed to vote today?
He must go to the polling station that corresponds to you according to your voter registration. Unlike early voting, today you cannot choose any polling place in your county.
Before leaving, check your assigned seat in the State Elections Board search engine.
Enter your information and look for the “Your Voting Locations” section. In that same record, you will find “Your Sample Ballot,” where you can view your sample ballot.
Related: How to correctly fill out the ballot in North Carolina
What identification should he carry?
The State Board of Elections recommends carrying a photo ID accepted for votingOptions include a North Carolina driver's license, a U.S. passport, and certain board-approved student or public employee IDs.
If you cannot present an accepted ID, you can vote with a provisional ballot and complete an exception form at the polling station, explaining the reason.
Related: Don't have a photo ID to vote in North Carolina? Here's what you can do
What to do if you have trouble voting
If your name is not on the voter list, ask an election official for help. You can request a provisional ballot, which allows you to leave your vote pending a review of your eligibility by the election board.
If you suffer intimidation or harassment, immediately notify a polling station official.
Those who, due to their age or a disability If physically unable to enter the center without assistance, they can request to vote from their vehicle, an option known as curbside voting.
Do you still have a mail-in ballot?
The general rule is that your county board of elections receives the mail-in ballot no later than 7:30 pm today. Sending it by mail today does not guarantee that it will arrive within the deadline.
You can deliver it in person to your county board of elections office until that time. Military voters and overseas residents have special rules.
If you requested a mail-in ballot but did not use it, you can vote in person at your assigned polling place.
Can I register to vote today?
As a general rule, there is no same-day voter registration. The same-day registration and voting period ended with early voting on October 31.
There are exceptions for people who acquired U.S. citizenship or regained their voting rights after the regular registration deadline of October 9. If this applies to you, please consult your county board of elections.
>>> Follow live results of the 2026 US elections and see how the races are progressing in North Carolina
When will the results be known?
Preliminary results will begin to be published after the polls close. Election night data is not final: after the polls close, authorities will review outstanding ballots and carry out certification procedures.
Official NCSBE resources
Check your voter registration, polling place, and sample ballot on Voter Search
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