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The presidential election every four years attracts the most voters, but only 64% of the eligible voters in America voted in the 2024 general election. Many countries don’t even give their citizens the right to vote, but we are lucky, and it’s time we acted like it!
There is no time like the present to educate yourself so you are ready to speak up for what you believe in.
- Primary Day: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- General Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Read this quick, easy, non-partisan Forsyth County election guide so you are educated and ready to speak up for what you believe on Election Day 2026 in Winston-Salem, NC.
Election Guide 2026 For Forsyth County, NC
I have always found it challenging to obtain easy-to-understand information about the candidates and the ballot for MY VOTE. Sure, I can find general info, but I always find myself at the poll being asked to vote for things and people I did not know would be on the ballot. So, I am faced with making a non-educated guess, skipping, or choosing based on gender, name familiarity, etc.
I was thrilled to find a better way this year. Women of Action Winston-Salem recently put together a non-partisan voter guide (link below) that starts by clearly explaining:
- How to register to vote.
- Have you missed the registration deadline? Go to an early voting location to register and vote at the same time! See here for details.
- Where to see a sample of YOUR ballot
- The basic details of each candidate, amendment, bond, etc.
Forsyth County Election Guide – 2026
What’s New
- Districts Have Changed. US House, NC House, and NC Senate districts have changed since the 2022 Midterms – Look up your District.
- Photo ID Is Required. Photo IDs are now required in NC, even if you are voting by mail (you’ll need a photocopy). More information about photo ID.
- Voting Locations Have Changed. See early voting locations and schedules.
- Absentee/by-mail Ballots Must Be Received By 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, not just postmarked on Election Day. Absentee ballots for the General Election must be requested by 5 pm on October 27, but that likely won’t give you enough time to return them by mail. Aim for October 20.
Register To Vote
On Election Day, you cannot vote unless you have registered. But if you come out to vote early, you can still register at the polls. While this is not true in every state, NC allows this helpful convenience.
Mail-In Ballot Voting
An absentee ballot allows you to vote by mail, but you can also change your mind and decide to vote in person (early or on Election Day), so long as you have not already submitted your ballot. The Board of Elections recommends that you bring your incomplete ballot with you if you decide to vote in person to prevent any possible questions about the status of your vote.
You can request a mail-in ballot online, via the NC Absentee Ballot Portal, or by completing and submitting a 2025 NC Absentee Ballot Request Form (fillable PDF). The deadline for mail-in ballot requests is October 21, 2025, but if you wait until then, you will likely not get it in time to mail it and have it returned by election day at 7:30 pm. You can hand deliver your absentee ballot to the Forsyth County Board of Elections, 210 N Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, on or before Election Day.
Any registered voter can vote Absentee/by mail.
NC has a wonderful online service that allows you to track your ballot with Ballot Trax, available 30 days before election day.
Early Voting
Early voting in North Carolina runs from February 12 to February 28, 2026, for the Primary Election and from October 15 to October 31, 2026, for the General Election. If you missed the deadline to register to vote (February 6 for the Primary Election; October 9 for the General Election), you can still register when you come to early voting. During early voting, you can go to any early voting site in the county, regardless of your precinct.
Election Day
This year’s General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. On this date, all votes must be cast in your designated district.
Voting Tips
- Early voting runs from October 15 to October 31 for the General Election in NC in 2026. Find the closest location.
- It’s not too late to register. Same-day registration is available when you visit an early voting location in NC.
- You can preview and research YOUR ballot, when available, before you vote here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/. There will be no surprises, and you’ll feel confident in your choices. You can even print it out and bring a copy with your marked selections to the voting booth.
- Not sure who to vote for or who’s running? This nonpartisan guide (Not Yet Available) walks you through each ballot option so you are prepared. Click here for a list of 2025 Municipal Candidates.
- You DO need a photo ID to vote in North Carolina.
- When you vote early, your name is removed from all marketing lists for this election. Translation: fewer phone calls, texts, and junk mail! (This may take a few days to work through the systems)
- Attention College Students! You can register and vote using either your home or college address.
Here are the closest early voting locations to your campus - In NC, kids are allowed in the voting booth with their parents. So, take your kid to vote to inspire our next generation of voters and engaged citizens!
- If you are disabled, sick, or otherwise unable to leave your car, you can request curbside voting. All you have to do is go to the voting location, and a poll worker will come out to help you.
- Lines are shorter every day during Early Voting than on Election Day.
- As long as you will be 18 on or before November 3rd and have lived in NC for at least 30 days, you can vote (and early vote) for this year’s elections. So, register now.
- Take a photo and tag #MYWS to show off your civic action.
