18 sites available to Wake County voters Oct. 15 through Oct. 31 Early voting for the 2026 General Election begins Thursday, Oct. 15, at 8 a.m. at 18 early voting locations across Wake County. Eligible voters may cast their ballot at any early voting site in the county through Saturday, Oct. 31. A full list of locations, daily hours and site details, along with bus routes, an interactive site map, live wait times and information about same-day registration, are available at WakeVotesEarly.com.“With 18 early...
18 sites available to Wake County voters Oct. 15 through Oct. 31
Early voting for the 2026 General Election begins Thursday, Oct. 15, at 8 a.m. at 18 early voting locations across Wake County. Eligible voters may cast their ballot at any early voting site in the county through Saturday, Oct. 31. A full list of locations, daily hours and site details, along with bus routes, an interactive site map, live wait times and information about same-day registration, are available at WakeVotesEarly.com.
“With 18 early voting sites – the most Wake County has ever offered for a midterm General Election – voters have many options to cast their ballot during the 17-day early voting period,” said Wake County Board of Elections Director Olivia McCall. “We encourage voters to make a plan before heading to the polls and check our live online wait-time tracker to help choose the location and time that works best for them.”
Voters will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID when checking in to vote during early voting. Most voters will use their North Carolina driver license, but several other forms of photo ID are accepted. Voters who are unable to show an acceptable photo ID may still vote by completing a Photo ID Exception Form.
Eligible voters who missed the voter registration deadline may still register and vote in person during early voting. Same-day registration is available at all early voting sites. Voters using same-day registration must bring acceptable proof of their current residence and complete a voter registration form at the site. Same-day registration is not available on Election Day.
All Wake County early voting sites will be open during the following hours from Oct. 15 through Oct. 31:
Voters looking to avoid lines are encouraged to plan ahead and use the early voting wait time tracker. Historically, wait times are shortest during the first week of early voting, while the busiest periods tend to be around lunchtime on weekdays and during the final days of the 17-day period.
Wake County voters may vote at any of the 18 early voting locations available for the 2026 General Election:
Registered voters who prefer an alternative to voting in person may request an absentee ballot. In North Carolina, voters are not required to provide a reason to vote absentee. The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the 2026 General Election is 5 p.m. on Oct. 20. Completed civilian absentee ballots must be received at the Wake County Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, to be counted, with no exceptions.
During the early voting period, completed, sealed absentee ballots may be returned at an early voting site by the voter, their near-relative or legal guardian, or someone assisting the voter due to disability. Drop boxes are not permitted by North Carolina law, and anyone delivering an absentee ballot must wait in line to transfer custody of the ballot to an election official.
For more information on upcoming elections and voting, visit ReadyToVote.com.
The Wake County Board of Elections is responsible for conducting all elections held in the county. The Board establishes election precincts and voting sites; appoints and trains precinct officials; prepares and distributes ballots and voting equipment; certifies ballots cast in elections and investigates any voting irregularities.
The Wake County Board of Elections also maintains voter registration and voting records for more than 860,000 voters. To learn more about the Wake County Board of Elections, follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X, or contact us at [email protected] or 919-404-4040.