Early voting for North Carolina’s 2026 general election cycle begins on Thursday, starting several weeks of the final stretch of many local and statewide elections. Here is what you need to know to cast your vote in Orange, Durham, and Chatham Counties — including sites, times, and answers to frequently asked questions about voting.
The 2026 general election is Tuesday November 3, but the early voting period begins on Thursday October 15 and runs until Saturday October 31 at 3 p.m.
Where Can I Vote In Person?
Orange County
There are six early voting sites in Orange County:
- Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons (113 Mayo Street)
- Drakeford Library (203 South Greensboro Street in Carrboro)
- Chapel Hill Public Library (100 Library Drive)
- Chapel of the Cross (304 E Franklin Street)
- Seymour Senior Center (2551 Homestead Road)
- Efland–Cheeks Community Center (117 Richmond Road in Mebane)
All Orange County polls will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. (Click here for more information on early voting in Orange County.)
(Image via Orange County Government.)
Durham County
There are eight early voting sites in Durham County:
- North Regional Library (221 Milton Road)
- East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane)
- Durham County Main Library (300 North Roxboro Street)
- South Regional Library (4505 South Alston Avenue)
- Southern High School (800 Clayton Road)
- Durham County Board of Elections (3825 South Roxboro Street)
- NCCU – Turner Law Building (640 Nelson Street)
- Duke University – Karsh Alumni Center (640 Nelson Street)
- Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (4907 Garrett Road)
- Little River Community Complex (8307 North Roxboro Street in Bahama)
Polls will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sundays from 2 p.m to 6 p.m. (Click here for more information on early voting in Durham County.)
Chatham County
There are five early voting sites in Chatham County:
- The Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (1192 U.S. Highway 64 West Business in Pittsboro)
- CCCC Chatham Health Sciences Center (75 Ballentrae Court in Pittsboro)
- Earl B. Fitts Community Center (111 S Third Avenue in Siler City)
- Goldston Town Hall (40 Coral Avenue)
- Hollands Chapel Church (360 Burgess Road in Apex)
Polls will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Voting sites will be closed on Sundays. (Click here for more information on early voting in Chatham County.)
Do I Need an ID to Vote?
Yes, you will need to show a photo ID in order to vote according to North Carolina law.
Acceptable photo IDs include: driver’s licenses; passports; military IDs; student and employee IDs from UNC, Durham Tech and NC Central; student IDs from Duke; and employee IDs from Orange County, Durham County, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. You can also receive a free photo ID from your county elections office.
How Can I See Wait Times?
If you are worried about wait times when going to vote, Orange County is running an early vote wait-time tool, which can be accessed here. Durham County has its own website as well, which can be found here.
How Can I Vote By Mail in North Carolina?
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. Those wanting to vote by mail are encouraged to request their ballot as early as possible. When sending it back, voters’ respective county board of elections must receive mailed ballots no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. (Click here for more information on voting by mail.)
Where Can I Learn More?
The Orange County, Durham County and Chatham County websites have more information that could be helpful to voters and residents during the general election cycle. Additionally, Orange County voters can text 919-246-8773 at any time to ask questions before they head to the polls.
Click here for the Orange County elections site.
Click here for the Durham County elections site.
Click here for the Chatham County elections site.
You can also find more voter resources and information on the North Carolina Board of Elections website.
Stay up to date on local election news by visiting the Local Elections page on Chapelboro.com, where you’ll be able to read all our election coverage including introductions to the local candidates.
Featured image via AP Photo/Adam Bettcher.
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