2026 Elections

Democratic Candidates

US Senate
Roy Cooper – https://roycooper.com/about/

US House of Representatives
Jamie Ager – https://agerforcongress.com

NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 01
Anita Earls – https://earls4justice.com/

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01
John S. Arrowood – https://www.keepjudgearrowood.com/

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 02
Tobias (Toby) Hampson – https://judgetobyhampson.com/

NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 03
Christine Marie Walczyk – https://www.judgechristine.org/

NC State Senate District 47
Frank Patton Hughes III – https://www.electhughes.com/

NC State Senate District 50
Tom Downing – https://tomdowning4nc.com/

NC House of Representatives District 118
Danny E. Davis – https://davis4nchouse.com/about/

NC Superior Court Judge District 43B SEAT 01
Roy Wijewickrama

NC District Court Judge District 43 Seat 02
Justin B. Greene 

NC District Court Judge District 43 Seat 03
William (Bill) Jones

Haywood County Board of Commissioners
Michael T. Sorrells 
Carly Pugh – https://www.carlyforcommissioner.com/

Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court 
Jeff Haynes

Haywood County Sheriff
Tyler J. Howell – https://www.facebook.com/HowellforHaywood/

Information on the Constitutional Amendments on the ballot

The League of Women Voters of North Carolina believes constitutional amendments deserve particularly careful scrutiny because they establish durable limits and requirements that are more difficult to change than ordinary laws. These policy decisions are better addressed through legislation, where elected officials can respond to changing circumstances and voters can hold them accountable.

  • CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – REQUIRE PHOTO ID FOR VOTING
    • Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.

LWVNC opposes the photo ID amendment because state law already requires identification for absentee voting and provides for voters who cannot reasonably provide ID. The proposed amendment would place the requirement that all voters present photo identification into the State Constitution without protecting those existing safeguards. The League is concerned that this could create additional barriers for military, student, rural, and older voters.

  • CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – MAXIMUM INCOME TAX RATE OF 3.5%
    • Vote Against Constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%).

LWVNC opposes the income-tax amendment because current law already keeps the individual income-tax rate below the proposed 3.5% cap, and the amendment itself would not lower current taxes. Placing the cap in the Constitution would limit the ability of future elected leaders to respond to changing economic conditions and state needs.

  • CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – PROPERTY TAX LEVY LIMIT
    • Vote Against Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments. 

LWVNC opposes the property-tax levy amendment because it would shift greater authority over local funding decisions to the state while leaving the actual limits, formulas and possible exceptions to future legislation. The League is concerned that restricting local property-tax revenue could affect funding for public education, elections and other local services and/or increase reliance on fees. 

Voter Dates and Deadlines

Below are important voter dates and deadlines for the 2026 general election in North Carolina:

  • Sept. 4: Absentee ballots must be available and distributed to military and overseas voters. For more, see Vote by Mail.
  • Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).* For more, see How to Register.
  • Oct. 15: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available. For more, see Vote Early in Person.
  • Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*
  • Oct. 31: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
  • Nov. 3: Election Day. For more, see Vote in Person on Election Day.
  • Nov. 3: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).*

Find other important dates for the election on our web calendar: Voter Dates & Deadlines.

*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.

Important Tips for Voters from the State Board of Elections

  • Need to register or update your registration? See How to Register or Updating Registration.
  • Check your registration: Voters can check to make sure their registration information is accurate and up to date using the Voter Search tool. There, you can also find your polling place, party affiliation, absentee ballot information, and more.
  • Find your sample ballot: All eligible, registered voters will find their sample ballot(s) in the “Your Sample Ballot” section of their Voter Search profile when sample ballots become available. 
  • Don’t forget your photo ID: North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Learn more: Voter ID.
  • Online Judicial Voter Guide: To learn about the 2026 candidates for North Carolina Supreme Court and North Carolina Court of Appeals, see Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election.
  • Three ways to vote: Follow the links below to learn about the voting methods available to all NC voters.
  1. Vote Early in Person. For in-person early voting locations and schedules in your county, see the Early Voting Site Search. Also see Early Voting Sites for the November 3, 2026 Election (PDF).
  2. Vote in Person on Election Day (Nov. 3). Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters who vote on Election Day must go to their assigned polling place. Find your polling place in the Voter Search tool and navigate to “Your Voting Locations.”
  3. Vote By Mail. Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote a mail-in absentee ballot for the 2026 elections. No excuse is needed.