Early voting in New Hanover County runs Oct. 15-31 at five sites, with same-day registration. Election Day is Nov. 3, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Photo ID required.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from the New Hanover County Board of Elections and the N.C. State Board of Elections. This page lists rules and dates only; it does not endorse candidates or positions.
The 2026 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. In New Hanover County, early voting runs Oct. 15-31 at five sites, and you can register and vote on the same day during early voting. On Election Day, polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at your assigned polling place. North Carolina asks every voter to show a photo ID.
Who to call
- New Hanover County Board of Elections: 910-798-7330, 226 Government Center Drive
- Check your registration and sample ballot: NCSBE Voter Search
- Find your Election Day polling place: Polling Place Search
- Request a mail ballot: NCSBE Absentee Request Portal
Key dates for the Nov. 3 election
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| Friday, Oct. 9 | Regular registration deadline, 5 p.m. (passed) |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | Early voting and same-day registration begin |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | Early voting ends at 3 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 3 | Election Day, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; mail ballots due at the board by 7:30 p.m. |
Early voting sites
You can vote at any of these sites during early voting, according to the county’s early voting page:
| Site | Address |
|---|---|
| Board of Elections office | 226 Government Center Drive, Wilmington |
| MLK Community Center, multipurpose room | 401 S. Eighth St., Wilmington |
| Northeast Library, David M. Paynter Room | 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington |
| Pine Valley Library, Pelican and Osprey rooms | 3802 S. College Road, Wilmington |
| Carolina Beach Town Hall, police training room | 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach |
Early voting hours
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Oct. 15, and Friday, Oct. 16 | 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18 | Closed |
| Monday, Oct. 19, to Friday, Oct. 23 | 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25 | Noon to 5 p.m. |
| Monday, Oct. 26, to Friday, Oct. 30 | 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
The county posts daily early voting turnout while sites are open.
Registering
The regular deadline was 5 p.m. Oct. 9. If you missed it, use same-day registration at any early voting site: fill out a registration form and show an election official proof that you live in the county. To register in North Carolina you must be a U.S. citizen, have lived in the county for at least 30 days before Election Day, be 18 by Election Day, and not be serving a felony sentence, including probation, post-release supervision or parole. The county’s registration page has the full rules.
Photo ID
Voters are asked to show photo ID. Most people use a driver’s license, but the State Board of Elections accepts many other IDs, including some student and public employee IDs. If you do not have one, get a free voter ID card from the county board of elections office or a no-fee ID card from the NCDMV. Mail voters include a copy of their ID in the photo ID envelope that comes with the ballot, or fill out an ID exception form.
Voting by mail
Any registered voter can vote by mail; no excuse is needed. Request a ballot through the state’s Absentee Request Portal or with the county’s request form, and do it soon: requests must reach the board by the state deadline, and late requests are not accepted regardless of postmark. Completed ballots must be in the board’s hands by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, whether mailed or dropped off. Details are on the county’s absentee voting page; call 910-798-7330 with questions.
Election Day
On Nov. 3 you must vote at your assigned polling place, open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line at 7:30 p.m. can vote. Look up your polling place with the state’s search tool or the county’s polling places list.
Frequently asked questions
When is early voting in New Hanover County? Thursday, Oct. 15, to Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at five sites. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 24-25 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 31; sites are closed Oct. 17-18.
Can I still register to vote in New Hanover County? The regular deadline was 5 p.m. Oct. 9, 2026, but you can register and vote the same day at any early voting site from Oct. 15 to 31 by showing proof of residence.
Do I need a photo ID to vote in North Carolina? Yes. Voters are asked to show photo ID, most often a driver’s license. Voters without one can get a free ID from the county board of elections or a no-fee ID card from the NCDMV.
What are the polling hours on Election Day in New Hanover County? 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at your assigned polling place. Anyone in line at 7:30 p.m. can vote.
Where is the New Hanover County Board of Elections? 226 Government Center Drive, Wilmington. The phone number is 910-798-7330.
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