Mark your calendar. The 2026 North Carolina General Election is here, and we want every Cabarrus County resident ready to make their voice heard. Whether you’re voting early, by mail, or at the polls on Election Day, here’s the full election calendar to help you plan ahead.

2026 General Election Schedule:

• First Day to Mail Out Absentee Ballots (if ballots are available): September 4, 2026
• Last Day to Register to Vote or Update Registration: October 9, 2026 at 5 pm
• Early Voting Begins October 15, 2026
• Last Day to Request Absentee Ballot: October 20, 2026 at 5 pm
• Early Voting Ends October 31, 2026 at 3 pm
• Deadline for Receipt of Absentee-by-Mail Ballots: November 3, 2026 at 7:30 pm
• Primary Election Day November 3, 2026 (polls open at 6:30 am and close at 7:30 pm)
• Sample Hand-to-Eye Recount November 10, 2026 at 10 am
• County Canvass November 13, 2026 at 11 am

Voting in the 2026 election officially begins on Sept. 4, when officials begin sending absentee ballots to voters who requested them. That is followed by in-person early voting (Oct. 15 to Oct. 31), and, of course, Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls open at 6:30 am and close at 7:30 pm.

Find your voting precinct location here:
https://vt.ncsbe.gov/PPLkup

Learn more about the election on the Cabarrus County Board of Elections website here:
https://www.cabarruscounty.us/Government/Departments/Board-of-Elections