2026 North Carolina Primary Election: Updates, Candidates, and Key Dates
The live stream above showcases WBTV and its affiliated programs, offering viewers a glimpse into the latest news and updates. The primary election for 2026 kicked off in February in North Carolina, with early in-person voting taking place from Feb. 12 to Feb. 28. The state's primary Election Day is set for March 3. In Iredell County, voters were selecting a new state House representative for District 95, encompassing part of southeast Iredell County, including Mooresville. Two Republican candidates were competing for the seat, and WBTV interviewed them to gather their responses to key questions before the primary Election Day.
The 2026 North Carolina primary election plays a crucial role in determining the candidates who will represent each political party in the upcoming midterm election. Scheduled for November 2026, the midterm elections will feature contests for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, as well as local positions like mayors, sheriffs, and commissioners. Notably, this year's ballot includes a statewide race for the U.S. Senate seat, left vacant by Rep. Senator Thom Tillis, who opted not to seek re-election after serving since 2014. Various candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties are vying for the open senate seat, such as former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Key dates to remember for this year's primary election in North Carolina include the early in-person voting period from Feb. 12 to Feb. 28, allowing all registered voters in the state to cast their ballots. Unlike Election Day, early voting does not require voters to visit a specific polling place, but they must vote in the county where they are registered. On Election Day, voters are assigned a polling place based on their residential address. In 2022, 39% of voters opted for early voting, while 2% voted by mail, according to the NC State Board of Elections. Early voting is a popular method in North Carolina, particularly during primary elections.
While North Carolina holds its primary election in March, other states like South Carolina have their primaries scheduled for later in the year, such as June. The general election, considered a midterm election as it falls between presidential elections, is set for Nov. 3, 2026, across all states. To learn more about voting in North Carolina's primary election, voter registration, and additional election-related information, visit the provided resources. Stay updated on election news and developments as the primary election progresses.