Absentee Ballot Mailing Begins for North Carolina’s 2026 Election

The process of mailing absentee ballots for the 2026 general election in North Carolina officially started on September 4, 2026, as confirmed by state election officials. This marks the beginning of voting for the midterm election across the state.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections announced on September 2, 2026, that all county boards would begin sending absentee-by-mail ballots to voters who had requested them. This action initiates the voting period for those choosing to vote by mail in the 2026 midterm general election.

Executive Director Sam Hayes stated that each of the 100 county boards of elections in North Carolina was prepared to begin mailing absentee ballots on the scheduled date. The announcement was made in advance to inform voters and ensure transparency in the election process.

According to the official election schedule, September 4, 2026, is the first day absentee ballots are sent to voters who have submitted requests. The North Carolina elections website also confirms that this date marks the official start of voting for the 2026 general election.

What the numbers show

• 100 county boards of elections are participating in absentee ballot mailing.
• Mailing of ballots began on September 4, 2026.
• Absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on November 3, 2026.

Brunswick County, among others, confirmed that absentee ballots would be sent out beginning September 4, 2026. The county also stated that completed ballots must be returned to the county board of elections by the close of polls on Election Day, which is November 3, 2026.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections held a media availability on September 3, 2026, to discuss preparations for the general election. This included details about the initial mailing of absentee ballots and the readiness of county election offices to handle the process.

Voters who requested absentee ballots can expect to receive them following the start of mailing on September 4. The process is designed to allow sufficient time for voters to complete and return their ballots before the deadline.

Information about the absentee voting process, including key dates and requirements, is available on official state and county election websites. These resources provide guidance for voters on how to participate in the 2026 general election by mail.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.