Elections
North Carolina 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The North Carolina 2026 congressional primary was held on March 3, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Live on Congress Countdown
See North Carolina's current congressional delegation
Term end dates, party breakdown, and which seats are on the November ballot.
North Carolina U.S. Senate Primary — Results
Open seat — Sen. Thom Tillis declined to seek re-election. Former governor Roy Cooper and former RNC chair Michael Whatley emerged as the nominees.
November nominees
These two face off on November 3, 2026 in a single-winner (majority runoff possible) contest.
Competitive U.S. House Races
North Carolina has 1 U.S. House district rated a toss-up for 2026 (rating: Cook Political Report (June 2026)). These are among the seats most likely to decide control of the House.
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the North Carolina 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in North Carolina are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View North Carolina representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
North Carolina's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Thom Tillis (R) — retiring; open seat. Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
North Carolina's Primary System: Partisan Open Primary
North Carolina holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
Runoff Election: North Carolina may hold a primary runoff on May 12, 2026. A runoff occurs when if the leader got less than 30% of the vote and the second-place candidate requests a runoff. The top two candidates from the original primary face each other in the runoff.
North Carolina 2026 Election Key Dates
| March 3, 2026 | Primary Election (passed) |
| May 12, 2026 | Primary Runoff (passed) — if needed |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in North Carolina
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare North Carolina's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the North Carolina 2026 U.S. Senate primary?
Michael Whatley won the Republican nomination with 64.6% of the vote, and Roy Cooper won the Democratic nomination with 92.0%. They advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in November 2026?
The November 3, 2026 ballot features Michael Whatley (R) vs Roy Cooper (D) for North Carolina's U.S. Senate seat.
When is the North Carolina primary election in 2026?
The North Carolina 2026 congressional primary is March 3, 2026. If no candidate wins the required threshold, a runoff will be held on May 12, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the North Carolina primary if I'm not registered with a party?
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day.
What is on the North Carolina 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in North Carolina are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Thom Tillis (R) — retiring; open seat. Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does North Carolina use?
North Carolina holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
When is the North Carolina voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Check the North Carolina Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the North Carolina general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
Which U.S. House races in North Carolina are competitive in 2026?
North Carolina has 1 U.S. House district rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report (June 2026). Decided November matchups: NC-1 (Laurie Buckhout (R) vs Donald Davis (D)).