News Notes
Voters across North Carolina soon will learn the candidates who will vie for their votes in 2026.
Candidate filing for most contests in the 2026 elections begins at noon on Monday, December 1, 2025, and ends at noon on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Depending on the office sought, candidates will file their Notice of Candidacy and pay their filing fees either at their county board of elections office or with the State Board of Elections at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
“We applaud all candidates who choose to engage in the democratic process and decide to run,” said State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes. “We are hopeful and ready for a smooth and easy to follow process for all candidates. We are committed to providing an efficient and safe environment for everyone.”
The 2026 primary election is March 3, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
For Candidates
Before filing, candidates should review the Filing for Candidacy page at ncsbe.gov for information such as candidacy requirements, filing fees and more. Candidates may also review the candidates guide to the 2026 elections in PDF form.
Candidates for the following offices file to run for office in the Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Administration Building (Horse Complex) at the State Fairgrounds, located at 4601 Trinity Road (Gate H3), Raleigh, NC.
U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
Associate Justice, State Supreme Court
Judges, State Court of Appeals
Judges, Superior Court
Judges, District Court
Various District Attorneys
Candidates, guests, and members of the media should enter the Fairgrounds through Gate 9 on Trinity Road.
For information on filing fees, see Filing Fees. Fees must be paid by cashier check, campaign check, personal check, or money order. Cash and credit cards are not accepted.
Candidates should also review when and how to appoint a treasurer and organize their candidate committee. Candidates should review the Candidate Committees page at ncsbe.gov.
Once filed, the deadline to withdraw a notice of candidacy is Dec. 16, 2025.
Candidates for N.C. House, N.C. Senate, and local offices file with their respective county board of elections. Prospective candidates for these offices who have questions about the process should contact their county board of elections.
The State and county boards of elections cannot accept candidate filings via surrogate. During the upcoming candidate filing period the boards of elections will only accept notices of candidacy that are signed and submitted in person by the candidate, or which are certified and delivered via mail or commercial courier service.
In the past, some candidates have attempted to rely on surrogates, including staff members, to submit their notices of candidacy during the candidate filing period. This practice is not permitted by the General Statutes, and such filings will not be accepted by the boards of elections.
Prospective candidates for offices that file with the State Board of Elections who have questions about the process should email elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov or call 919-814-0700.
