NC primary election launches as absentee ballots mailed out, other important dates to know

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Absentee ballots for the March primary are being mailed out starting Monday.

"We just mailed out over 280 (absentee ballots), which is kind of a low number for Wake County right now, but that portal just opened up on the first of the year. We're expecting, obviously, that (figure) to be increasing," explained Wake County Board of Elections Director Olivia McCall.

Other important dates ahead of the 2026 primary election in North Carolina include:

• Feb. 6, 2026: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).*

• Feb 12, 2026: In-person early voting begins.

• Feb. 17, 2026: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*

• Feb. 28, 2026: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).

• March 3, 2026: Primary Election Day.

• March 3, 2026: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).*

"The biggest thing for voter registration, especially in a primary, is we encourage people to go online, check your voter information, make sure that your address is up to date. Make sure that your party preference is what you want it to be, because that voter registration deadline is not just a voter registration deadline, it's also the party change deadline," McCall shared.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, voter turnout in 2022 was the highest for a midterm primary in 20 years.

Local party leaders are working now to engage voters.

"We're doing a lot of text blasting. We're doing a lot of emailing. We have a huge email list. We send newsletters out about once or twice a week, try to reach those voters. We advertise on all social media outlets," said Wake County Republican Chair Sandy Joiner.

"We try to show up and ask (voters) what they're concerned about and share that with our candidates so that they're not hearing from us the first time in October or November. We try to encourage them to take that frustration and turn it into some strategic action, because the reality is, there are a lot of people that are frustrated with the Democratic Party that think that we should move in a different direction. And the primary is voters' opportunities to actually make their voices heard," explained Wake County Democratic Party Chair.

Recently, the number of registered Republicans surpassed the number of registered Democrats in North Carolina.

"I feel like people are walking into the office every day asking for a Republican ballot, asking to change their registration to Republican. That's been very exciting to see," said Joiner.

Traditionally, the party out of power has performed better during midterms, though Knott said that requires voters to show up and make their voices heard.
"If you're sitting at home watching what's happening around the country and saying, 'Gosh, I can't wait for that blue wave to come in 2026', it may never come if you don't come out with us to help build that power," Knott explained.

The Senate race at the top of the ticket for Sen. Thom Tillis' seat is likely to be one of the most competitive in the country, though both Joiner and Knott urged voters to pay attention to down-ballot races, including those impacting the balance of power in the General Assembly.

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"We're trying to get the word out about them and let voters know how important and what the kinds of things legislation that they're voting on right now that's been super helpful," said Joiner.

"We try to level set and say we are trying to elect at least enough Democrats to be able to sustain Governor Stein's veto of incredibly harmful legislation," shared Knott, who formerly ran for State House in 2022.

While voters take a number of topics into who they choose to support, a Reuters/Ipsos poll released in October found the cost of living among all voters the most important factor in Congressional races, though Democrats placed a larger priority on protecting democracy and democratic norms.

"I think the economy is the biggest issue, but I think it's getting better. I think that people are starting to see that President Trump's policies are starting to come into play this year," said Joiner.

"Voters don't want us just to talk about how prices are too high. They want to know what we're going to do to help. And so we're trying to draw that contrast even in the primary of what we are offering versus what they're getting from the current administration," Knott said.