North Carolina Voting Rule Changes Heighten Stakes in 2026 Senate Race

Since the 2024 election, the North Carolina State Board of Elections—now Republican-led—has enacted three changes that reshape voting access ahead of the 2026 midterms. Sunday early-voting hours have been eliminated in all but 17 counties, down from 40 in 2022. A September 4 directive bars counties from counting absentee ballots whose inner envelopes are unsealed and limits third-party drop-off to “near relatives” or legal guardians. The legislature also stripped Democratic Governor Josh Stein of the power to appoint board members, giving that authority to Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek, who now appoints majorities on the state’s 100 county election boards. The open U.S. Senate seat—vacated by retiring Republican Thom Tillis—has become the nation’s top Democratic pickup target, with former governor Roy Cooper (D) facing Trump-backed former RNC chair Michael Whatley (R).

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The GOP’s control of election administration follows a 2024 lame-duck session in which a veto-proof Republican majority rewrote the appointment process. Historically, the governor’s party set board composition; the shift gives the auditor decisive influence over county-level voting sites. An appellate court earlier this year upheld the legislature’s stripping of the governor’s appointment power. Redistricting has also created a more GOP-friendly district for Democrat Don Davis, adding another layer to the contest.

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• Sunday voting: 17 counties allow it in 2026, versus 40 in 2022 (Christopher Cooper, Western Carolina University).

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• Early-voting sites: 367 locations for the 2026 midterms, up from 359 in 2022.

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• Mail-in voting in 2024: 5 % of 5.7 million voters cast ballots by mail; Democrats requested roughly 42 % of the 67,990 absentee-by-mail ballots, Republicans about 17 %, and unaffiliated voters 40 % (state records).

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• Polling (ECU Center for Survey Research, Aug. 31–Sept. 3, 675 respondents): Cooper leads Whatley 46 % to 39 % among likely voters; among those who name the economy as top issue, Cooper leads 58 % to 25 %.

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The state GOP rejected claims of voter suppression, calling the measures “reasonable election safeguards.” Board member Stacy “Four” Eggers described the absentee-ballot rule as a “ballot security issue” to ensure voter intent is honored.

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Bishop William Barber warned that changing procedures during an election “creates confusion” that could deter voters.

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• February 4, 2025 – State auditor Dave Boliek reports to the Council of State.

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• September 4 – Board votes to reject unsealed absentee ballots and tighten third-party drop-off rules.

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• February 28 – Last day of early voting in the primary; voters cast ballots at Durham County Library.

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• October 15 – Early voting opens for the general election.

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• November 3 – Election Day for the 2026 midterms.

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County officials are preparing to open 367 early-voting sites on October 15, while both campaigns continue to pour money into television and digital ads. Republican ad spending has topped $50 million, with Trump’s MAGA Inc. and allied super-PACs providing a sizable edge. Democrats have reserved nearly $35 million, emphasizing Cooper’s record on affordability and public safety. The final weeks will see intensified voter-turnout drives, especially among students and Black voters who cite the loss of Sunday voting as a barrier to participation.

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