Absentee Ballots to Be Mailed Jan. 12 as Voting Begins for North Carolina’s March 3 Primary

North Carolina voters who requested absentee-by-mail ballots for the 2026 primary election will soon begin receiving them, as county boards of elections start mailing ballots Monday, Jan. 12.

The mailing of absentee ballots marks the official start of voting for the state’s March 3 primary election. Election officials say voters who have already submitted a request should expect their ballots to arrive in the coming days.

In North Carolina, any eligible voter may request, receive and vote an absentee ballot by mail. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Feb. 17, but election officials are encouraging voters to make their requests as early as possible to allow enough time to receive and return the ballot.

Absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, March 3. State law no longer allows a grace period for ballots postmarked by Election Day and received afterward. Ballots must be physically in the county board office by the deadline to be counted.

During the primary election, voters will choose party nominees who will advance to the Nov. 3 general election. Voters registered with a political party will receive a ballot containing candidates from their party. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote a Democratic ballot, a Republican ballot, or a nonpartisan ballot if one is available in their jurisdiction.

The Green Party and Libertarian Party will not hold primaries in North Carolina in 2026.

Voters can view their sample ballots by accessing their voter record through the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool. Unaffiliated voters will see at least two ballot styles listed and may see three if they are eligible to vote in a nonpartisan contest, such as a referendum. Unaffiliated voters must select which ballot they wish to vote when requesting an absentee ballot or voting in person.

Voters casting ballots by mail must meet specific witness and identification requirements. Completed absentee ballots must be witnessed by either two individuals or a notary, and the witnesses must sign the ballot return envelope where indicated. Voters are also required to include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID in the designated sleeve on the back of the ballot envelope. The copy does not need to be in color but must be legible.

Absentee voters who are unable to provide a copy of a photo ID may complete the Photo ID Exception Form included with their ballot materials and place it in the designated sleeve.

More information about voting by mail, upcoming elections and voter requirements is available through the North Carolina State Board of Elections.