Chatham County, NC
Home MenuCurrent Election & Upcoming Elections
March 3, 2026 Primary Election
Jurisdictions: County Wide
Note: A primary election in North Carolina is an election held to determine which candidates will represent each political party in the general election. Voters affiliated with a party can only vote in that party’s primary, while unaffiliated voters may choose which party’s (Democrat or Republican) ballot they want to vote on. Primaries include contests for federal, state, and local offices.
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Candidate List: Primary Elections 3/3/2026
Candidate List: General Elections 11/3/2026
UOCAVA Election Notice: March 3rd 2026 Primary Election
March 3, 2026 Primary Elections Sample Ballots
Voting Locations: View early voting hours and polling place information on the General Election Polling Places page.
Important Dates for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
-
Candidate Filing Period:
December 1 at 12:00 p.m. – December 19 at 12:00 p.m.
NCGS § 163-294.2(c), § 163-291(2) -
Candidate Withdrawal Deadline:
December 16 at 5:00 p.m.
NCGS § 163-294.2(c) -
Absentee Voting by Mail Begins:
January 12 2026
NCGS § 163-227.10 -
Voter Registration Deadline:
February 6 at 5:00 p.m.
NCGS § 163-82.6(d) -
Early Voting Period:
February 12– February 28
NCGS § 163-166.40(b) -
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline:
February 17 at 5:00 p.m.
NCGS § 163-230.1(a) -
Election Day:
March 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NCGS § 163-279, § 163-166.01 -
Canvass Meeting:
March 13 at 11:00 a.m.
NCGS § 163-182.5(b)
To run in a party primary in North Carolina, a candidate must have been registered with that political party for at least 90 days before the filing period opens. For the 2026 primary, that means party affiliation must be established by September 2, 2025.
The following offices are scheduled for election in 2026. Select a jurisdiction below to view the available seats.
2026 Elections
March 3, 2026 Primary Election
- Absentee Voting by Mail Begins: January 12, 2026
- Voter Registration Deadline: February 6, 2026
§163-82.6(c) - Early Voting Begins: February 12, 2026
- Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: February 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
§163-230.1(a) - Early Voting Ends: February 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
- Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: March 3, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
§163-231(b)(1) - Primary Election Day: March 3, 2026 (6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
- Canvass Meeting: March 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
§163-182.5
May 12, 2026 Second Primary (Runoff)
- Early Voting Begins: April 23, 2026
- Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: May 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
§163-230.1(a) - Early Voting Ends: May 9, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
- Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: May 12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
- Second Primary Election Day: May 12, 2026 (6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
- Canvass Meeting: May 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
§163-182.5
November 3, 2026 General Election
- Absentee Voting by Mail Begins: September 4, 2026
- Voter Registration Deadline: October 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
§163-82.6(c) - Early Voting Begins: October 15, 2026
- Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: October 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
§163-230.1(a) - Early Voting Ends: October 31, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
- Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: November 3, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
- General Election Day: November 3, 2026 (6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
- Canvass Meeting: November 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
§163-182.5