Raleigh’s 2026 general election takes place Tuesday, November 3, with early voting beginning October 15. The election includes Raleigh’s mayor and City Council seats as the city transitions to staggered four-year terms. 

Important Election Dates

• October 9, at 5 p.m.: Regular voter registration deadline.
• October 15: In-person early voting begins.
• October 20, at 5 p.m.: Absentee-by-mail ballot request deadline.
• October 31, at 3 p.m.: Early voting ends.
• November 3: Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• November 3, at 7:30 p.m.: Deadline for county election officials to receive absentee ballots.

Registration and absentee deadlines differ for military and overseas voters. See the official election calendar⁠. 

Registration, Sample Ballots and Polling Places

The North Carolina Voter Search tool⁠ provides registration information, assigned Election Day polling places and sample ballots when available. Election Day voters must use their assigned polling place, which may differ from an early voting location. 

Eligible residents who miss the regular registration deadline may register and vote during early voting at a site in their county. Same-day registration requires an attestation of eligibility and proof of residence, such as a current utility bill or bank statement showing the voter’s name and address. Photo ID rules also apply. Read the same-day registration requirements⁠. 

Photo ID Requirements and Exceptions

North Carolina voters are asked to show an acceptable photo ID. Options include a North Carolina driver’s license, U.S. passport and approved student or public employee IDs. Registered voters can obtain a free voter photo ID from their county board of elections.

Voters who cannot present an acceptable ID may vote a provisional ballot and complete a Photo ID Exception Form explaining the qualifying reason. Mail voters must include an ID copy or an exception form. Review the official photo ID rules⁠. 

Voting by Mail

Any registered North Carolina voter may request an absentee ballot without providing an excuse. The standard process requires two witnesses or one notary, the necessary signatures, and a photo ID copy or exception form.

Completed ballots must arrive by the November 3 deadline; a timely postmark alone does not meet the requirement. Absentee ballots cannot be returned to an Election Day polling place. Follow the official absentee voting instructions⁠ for completion, assistance and return rules. 

Raleigh City Council Term Changes

All mayoral and City Council seats appear on the 2026 ballot. Under the transition plan:

• The mayor, District A and District B members, and the highest-vote at-large winner receive four-year terms.
• District C, D and E members, and the second-place at-large winner receive two-year terms, with those seats returning to the ballot in 2028.

The change establishes staggered elections. Details are available on Raleigh’s Vote Local information page⁠. 

Livable Raleigh’s guide also links to candidate questionnaires, campaign finance information and additional City Council election resources. Visit the original guide⁠ for those materials. 

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