Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper holds a commanding double-digit lead in the latest poll of North Carolina's closely watched Senate race, which is seen as one of Democrats' best pickup opportunities in the 2026 midterm elections.

North Carolina has an open race for the general election after Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, decided he would not seek re-election in the wake of his vote to block President

For the first time, North Carolina has more registered Republicans than Democrats. The meat continues to be in the middle with unaffiliated voters — the largest group of voters. We’re also witnessing more candidates change their party affiliation.

North Carolina election officials are considering changes to the voting schedule that could affect how voters cast ballots in upcoming primaries.

Twelve counties have failed to reach a unanimous agreement on when and where to host early voting for the March primary election.

According to the board, all absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s county board by 7:30 p.m. by the primary election, which is March 3.

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through the NC Absentee Ballot Portal or submit a paper form request to their county board of elections. A near relative or legal guardian can also request an absentee ballot on behalf of the voter. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Progressive advocacy groups seized on those cases and are now trying to turn them into a statewide morality play about voter suppression. Common Cause has promoted a claim that 30 percent of counties have less access this cycle, suggesting early voting is being “taken away,” especially from students.

The dismissal ends the only challenge to the 2025 congressional map, after voters failed to bar it from being used in the 2026 midterms.

The proposed 2026 voting plans would affect only the March primaries. But they could indicate strategies to come for the November general election.