Twelve counties have failed to reach a unanimous agreement on when and where to host early voting for the March primary election.

It's the year of midterm elections, and voting is getting underway for North Carolina's 2026 primary election.

According to the board, all absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s county board by 7:30 p.m. by the primary election, which is March 3.

Republicans took control of elections administration in mid-2025 and, in some counties, they have quickly moved to enact two longtime party goals: Eliminating Sunday hours and campus polling places during early voting.

An investigation by the North Carolina State Board of Elections found that two contributions by lobbyists to Rep. Sarah Stevens’ state Supreme Court campaign were illegal, but said they did not represent an “intentional violation.

North Carolina 2026 primary election voters will decide which candidates represent the Democratic and Republican parties in November races for U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, the state legislature and more.

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

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through the NC Absentee Ballot Portal or submit a paper form request to their county board of elections. A near relative or legal guardian can also request an absentee ballot on behalf of the voter.

Absentee voting for North Carolina's 2026 primary elections begins January 12 with a deadline to request ballots by February 17.

Absentee voting for the 2026 primary election begins Jan. 12, and with it are new rules to ensure votes count. In a news release sent out Thursday, the North Carolina State