Vote 2026 – General Election
Raleigh is transitioning to 4-year terms (to read more about it: click here)
The Mayor, District A & B and top vote getting At-Large councilor will get 4 year terms.
The others will get 2 year terms and stand for re-election in 2028.
You need a valid Photo ID no matter how you vote:
early in person — on election day — or by mail
regular voter registration deadline is 10/9/26
You can Register and Vote during early in-person voting starting 10/15
Livable Raleigh wants to provide information and links to information that will make it easy to vote in 2026.
PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS
VOTING BY MAIL
Yes, you still need a Photo ID, you need 2 verification signatures or a notary and it MUST arrive by 7:30pm on Election Day. There is NO GRACE PERIOD anymore.
SAMPLE BALLOTS
Find your Sample Ballot – Wake County BOE Sample Ballots
IMPORTANT 2026 DATES
- Absentee Vote by Mail Ballots – Available to request NOW and will begin being mailed out on Sept 4.
- The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot in 2026 is Tuesday, October 20, a week earlier than past elections (a later deadline applies for military and overseas voters)
- Details here: Wake County Absentee by Mail Voting
- Early Voting – October 15 to October 31, 2026
- Dates & Locations here: Wake County Early Voting Schedule
- 1,280 Raleigh residents live in Durham Co: Durham County Early Voting Schedule
- Election Day – November 3, 2026
- Find your Election Day polling location (it may be different from your early voting site)