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The countdown to Election Day is on. Here's what you need to know as you prepare to cast your ballot on or before Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Registration guidelines

Date you need to know: Friday, Oct. 9

You must be registered to vote in the 2026 election. Use the NC State Board of Elections' voter search tool to check if you're registered. If your status as a voter is "inactive" you do not need to register again.

If you need to register, you must do so by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, unless you plan to vote early — more on that below. Check that you meet eligibility requirements first, then complete a voter registration form. Mail it to the Forsyth County Board of Elections office (201 N. Chestnut St.) or return it in person. If you opt for mail, it must be postmarked by the Oct. 9 deadline.

Absentee by mail voting

Dates you need to know: Tuesday, Oct. 20 + Tuesday, Nov. 3

If you prefer not to vote in person, you have the opportunity to vote by mail using an absentee ballot. The deadline to request a ballot is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. You can also request the ballot via mail. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and submit all required accompanying documentation. If you request a ballot but opt to vote in person, you can still do so during early voting or on Election Day.

The Forsyth County Board of Elections must receive your absentee ballot no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. That means you'll need to deliver it in person or make sure it is mailed enough time in advance. You can track your ballot using BallotTrax.

In-person early voting

Dates you need to know: Thursday, Oct. 15-Saturday, Oct. 31

Unlike on Election Day, same-day registration is available during the early voting period. You'll need to show a valid photo ID and provide a proof of your current address. Find examples of accepted documentation here.

There's 14 early voting sites in Forsyth County. You can cast your ballot at any one of these handicap-accessible sites regardless of where you live in the county. Dates and times vary through the early voting period, but hours will be the same at each site.

Election Day

Date you need to know: Tuesday, Nov. 3

Polls are open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone still in line at 7:30 p.m. will be able to cast a ballot. If you want to avoid long wait times, the NC Board of Elections recommends finding a time during the day instead of around when polls open or close.

On Election Day, you can only vote at your assigned polling site. Find out where you're supposed to vote using the State Board of Elections' Election Day polling place search tool, the voter search tool, or on your voter registration card.

At the polls

When you show up to vote in person, you will need to show an acceptable form of photo ID. To vote without one, you will need to fill out an ID exception form. Voters aged 65+ can use an ID that's currently expired so long as it was not expired on their 65th birthday. Pro tip: The Forsyth County Board of Elections can issue free voter photo IDs to registered voters.

You might be asked to vote on a paper ballot or on a touchscreen. Precinct officials can guide you through the process and will be on hand to make sure your ballot is inserted correctly into the tabulator.

All voting sites are handicap accessible. Certain relatives and poll workers can assist voters inside polling sites. If you can't get inside to cast your votes because of age or disability, alert a precinct official so you can vote from your car.

Who's on your ballot

Unlike in primary contests, you can cast your vote for any candidate on your ballot, regardless of your or the candidate's party affiliation.

The easiest way to find out who you can vote for is to find your sample ballot using the voter search tool. The webpage also outlines your jurisdictions, which determine which candidates you'll see on your ballot. This tool is available to registered voters.

All voters can see a list of candidates across all contests in Forsyth County. This will give you an idea of who might appear on your ballot, but be aware that specific contests depend on your jurisdictions. Here's a list of the seats up for election in our county this cycle:

1 US Senate seat
2 US House seats
1 NC Supreme Court Associate Justice seat
3 NC Court of Appeals Judge seats
2 NC State Senate seats
5 NC State House seats
5 NC District Court Judge seats
1 Forsyth County District Attorney seat
3 Forsyth County Board of Commissioners seats
1 Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court seats
1 Forsyth County Sheriff seat
2 Forsyth County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor seats
3 WS/FCS Board of Education at-large seats
2 WS/FCS Board of Education District 1 seats
4 WS/FCS Board of Education District 2 seats
3 statewide referenda

Resources

The NC Board of Elections has everything you need to know about the voting process, including useful voter tools and forms.

The Forsyth County Board of Elections is your local resource. The office is located inside the Forsyth County Government office and is available by phone (336-703-2800) or email. Printing a pocket guide can help simplify the process.

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