North Carolina · General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Your ballot, explained.
All three statewide constitutional amendments in the official words, every candidate for federal, statewide and legislative office and what else is on the ballot in all 100 counties. No endorsements. Every claim links to its source.
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Heard this? Here are the facts
Each claim gets a plain status: True, False, or Promised, not law.
- Heard this? "In North Carolina you can't vote without a photo ID." False
The facts: You'll be asked for photo ID, but everyone can vote. Without one, you vote a provisional ballot and fill out a Photo ID Exception Form (for example, no transportation, a lost ID or a disability). Registered voters can get a free voter photo ID card from their county board of elections. source: ncsbe.gov - Heard this? "It's too late to register for Nov. 3." False
The facts: The regular deadline was Oct. 9, but in North Carolina you can register and vote at the same time during early voting, Oct. 15 to Oct. 31. source: ncsbe.gov - Heard this? "A mailed absentee ballot counts as long as it's postmarked by Election Day." False
The facts: Your absentee ballot must arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Requests are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 20. Include a copy of your photo ID or an ID exception form. source: ncsbe.gov - Heard this? "If you were ever convicted of a felony, you can never vote again in North Carolina." False
The facts: Your right to vote comes back automatically once your supervision (probation, parole or post-release) is over. You then need to register again. source: ncsbe.gov - Heard this? "You'll get $5,000 after the election." Promised, not law
The facts: On Sept. 9, 2026 the President promised every adult $5,000, a "Trump Dividend", if Republicans keep both the House and the Senate. It is a campaign promise that depends on the election results; no law or payment exists today. Congress would have to pass it, and AP estimates it would cost over $1 trillion. Is this legal? Experts disagree. Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, wrote: "No, Mr. President you can't offer voters $5000 if the Republicans win the House and Senate." Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner called it a completed crime under the federal vote-buying law (18 U.S.C. 597). Election attorney John Day told AP it is legal because it would go to everyone regardless of how they vote: "This is a campaign promise." Rice University political scientist Mark Jones: "It's unsavory, but it's legal." Your ballot is secret, so no payment can depend on how you personally vote. source: kold.com source: internazionale.it source: newsweek.com source: ibtimes.co.uk source: katv.com - Heard this? "Someone can legally pay you to vote, or to vote a certain way." False
The facts: No. Paying or offering to pay anyone to vote or to register to vote in a federal election is a federal crime (52 U.S.C. 10307(c)). Accepting the payment is a crime too. source: law.cornell.edu - Heard this? "The $1 million-a-day giveaway in 2024 paid people for voting." False
The facts: That contest was open only to registered voters in seven swing states, and entering meant signing a petition, not voting. The group's lawyer told a Pennsylvania court the winners were "not chosen by chance". The judge let it continue. source: aljazeera.com
Checked against official sources, court records and news reports. We update this as new claims go around.
- Constitutional Amendments 3 for every voter
- Races and candidates 366 candidates in 189 races
- Your county county offices, city races and 55 local questions
Key dates
- The regular registration deadline was Friday, October 9, 2026. You can still register and vote at the same time during early voting.
- Early voting: Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 31 (ends 3 p.m. on the last day).
- Absentee ballot requests are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 20. Your absentee ballot must arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, polls open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You'll be asked for photo ID.
Dates from the State Board of Elections' election calendar . Check your registration and sample ballot on the NC Voter Search (your sample ballot) .
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