State facts
- Population
- 11,197,968 (2025 estimate; 10,441,392 in the 2020 Census)
- Seats in the U.S. House
- 14
- State legislature
- Senate: 50 members, 2-year terms
- House of Representatives: 120 members, 2-year terms
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 state population estimates; National Conference of State Legislatures. Checked October 19, 2026.
Who represents North Carolina now
- Governor
- Josh Stein · Democratic · since January 2025
- U.S. senators
- Ted Budd · Republican · since 2023
- Thom Tillis · Republican · since 2015Seat on the Nov. 3 ballot
- U.S. House members
- 14 seats · Democratic: 4, Republican: 10
Sources: National Governors Association (party and start date: Wikidata); congress-legislators (current members of Congress). Checked October 19, 2026.
Voting in North Carolina
From the state election office’s own website. Each answer shows the official wording it comes from.
- Registration deadline
The registration deadline for the November 2026 general election is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
Official wording: “The voter registration deadline for the November 2026 general election is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.” — state election office, page read October 15, 2026
- Register on Election Day
Same-day registration is available during early voting. It is not available for most voters on Election Day.
Official wording: “Although same-day registration is available for voters during early voting, same-day registration is not available for most voters on Election Day.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Register online
Existing NCDMV customers may submit an online voter registration application.
Official wording: “Existing N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) customers may submit an online voter registration application.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Early voting
In-person early voting starts Thursday, Oct. 15 and ends 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Official wording: “In-person early voting period: Starts: Thursday, Oct. 15. Ends: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Who can vote by mail
Any registered North Carolina voter may request, receive, and vote a mail-in absentee ballot for the 2026 elections.
Official wording: “Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote a mail-in absentee ballot for the 2026 elections.” — state election office, page read October 19, 2026
- Request a mail ballot by
The absentee ballot request deadline is Oct. 20, at 5 p.m.
Official wording: “Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Mail ballot due
The absentee ballot return deadline is Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Official wording: “Nov. 3: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- ID at the polls
Voters must show an acceptable photo ID when they check in at their voting site, during early voting or on Election Day.
Official wording: “Voters must show an acceptable photo ID when they check in at their voting site during early voting or on Election Day.” — state election office, page read October 18, 2026
- Election Day hours
Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Official wording: “Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.” — state election office, page read October 17, 2026
For anything not listed, and to check your registration, see North Carolina’s election office: ncsbe.gov
Federal1
Federal candidate lists come from FEC filings. A candidate is marked “on the ballot” once their campaign files a pre-general report or the state’s official candidate list confirms it; others filed for 2026 but may have lost a primary or withdrawn.