Primary elections allow voters to help choose which candidates will appear on the general election ballot. In North Carolina, a voter’s eligibility and ballot style are based on their party affiliation. Voters registered as Democrat receive a Democratic ballot, and voters registered as Republican receive a Republican ballot. The Libertarian and Green Parties do not have a primary ballot for this election.

Unaffiliated voters may also participate in primary elections in North Carolina. At check-in, unaffiliated voters will state their name and residential address and choose which party’s primary they wish to vote in. For this election, unaffiliated voters may select a Democratic or Republican ballot. Although the Libertarian Party is open to unaffiliated voters, there is no Libertarian primary on the ballot this year. An unaffiliated voter’s party choice applies only to the current primary election and will carry over to a second primary if one is held; it does not change the voter’s registration status.

Voters who are 17 years old may register and vote in the primary election if they will turn 18 by November 3, 2026.

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.  Visit our 2026 Elections page to learn more.  Check your registration and find your sample ballot by using the Voter Search.