North Carolina Starts 2026 Midterm Voting With Absentee Ballots
North Carolina became the first state to begin 2026 midterm voting by mailing absentee ballots to registered voters on September 4.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections began mailing absentee-by-mail ballots on Friday, September 4, 2026, making North Carolina the first state in the U.S. to start voting for the 2026 midterm general election. The state board and 100 county boards are distributing ballots to registered voters who requested them.
The rollout occurs amid a federal legal battle involving more than 20 states suing to block new United States Postal Service requirements. These requirements, developed following an executive order from President Donald Trump, would require matching each ballot to a voter and a unique postal barcode. A federal judge has temporarily blocked key parts of this process.
Registered voters must request absentee ballots by October 20, and completed ballots must be received by county boards by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. To be valid, voters must provide a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID and the signatures of two witnesses or a notary. Military and overseas voters are provided with electronic options and extended deadlines.
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