Early voting for North Carolina’s primary election begins on Thursday. Here is what you need to know to cast your vote in Orange, Durham, and Chatham Counties.

The 2026 primary election is Tuesday March 3, but the early voting period begins on Thursday, Feb. 12 and runs until Saturday, Feb. 28. 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 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill)
  • Seymour Senior Center (2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill)
  • 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.; Saturday Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday Feb. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. (Click here for more information on early voting in Orange County.)

Photo via the 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)
  • 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)

Polls will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday Feb. 15 And Feb. 22 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)
  • Goldston Town Hall (40 Coral Avenue)
  • Earl B. Fitts Community Center (111 S Third Avenue in Siler City)
  • New Hope Baptist Church (581 New Hope Church Road in Apex)

Polls will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday Feb. 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (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, Feb. 17 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/Stephanie Scarbrough.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
NC House Offering Own Changes to Address Absentee Fraud
The North Carolina House has offered another version of legislation designed to prevent mail-in absentee ballot fraud that prosecutors say occurred last fall and caused officials to require a new congressional election. Rep. David Lewis of Harnett County says the measure will be heard next week in his Rules Committee. The Senate approved its own […]
Early Voting in 2024: What Do You Need To Know in Orange, Durham, or Chatham County?
Early voting is about to begin for the 2024 primary! Here's what you need to know in order to vote in Orange, Durham, or Chatham County.
Here Are the Important Dates to Know for 2023 Election Season in Orange, Chatham Counties
What are the dates and deadlines Orange and Chatham County voters should know for the 2023 municipal election cycle?
North Carolina Governor Vetoes Election Bill, Sparking Override Showdown With GOP Supermajority
Written by HANNAH SCHOENBAUM North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a sweeping Republican elections bill Thursday that would end a grace period for voting by mail and make new allowances for partisan poll observers. In a video message, the Democratic governor accused legislative Republicans of using their slim veto-proof majorities to execute “an all-out assault on the right […]
Elections Board, Absentee, Early Vote Changes Heard by North Carolina Senate Panel
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON North Carolina Republican senators began on Wednesday to attempt to advance wide-ranging voting measures addressing early and absentee balloting and transferring control over the state election board from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to legislative leaders. The sponsors of the two measures pitched to a Senate committee said they’re designed to […]
NC Elections Order Could Mean More Early Voting Sites
North Carolina’s top elections administrator on Friday ordered that counties open a minimum number of early in-person voting sites this fall as a way to buttress ballot access during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ll also have to be open on otherwise optional voting weekends. State Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell cited her emergency […]
N Carolina Lawmakers Override Early Voting, Farm Bill Vetoes
The North Carolina legislature has overridden Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes on Republican bills altering early in-person voting and restricting litigation by neighbors of large livestock operations who have complained about odors. The House completed the overrides Wednesday following similar Senate votes Tuesday. The two bills are now state law. The early-voting measure adjusts the […]
Early Voting Sites Selected for October
Four sites have been chosen to host early voting for this fall’s municipal elections. The Orange County Board of Elections has chosen three satellite early-voting sites along with the headquarters in Hillsborough for residents to vote this fall. Chapel of the Cross, on East Franklin Street, will serve as one voting location. Chapel Hill Town […]
Democracy, The Power Elite, And The State Senate Race
Was the recent State Senate appointment kerfuffle an exception to the rule in local democracy? Or was it closer to the rule than we'd like to think?
Early Voting for 2026 Primary Elections Begins Soon in Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties
Early voting for the North Carolina Primary Election begins on Thursday, Feb. 12. Here is what you need to know to cast your vote.
›