North Carolina voters decide Senate seat, state taxes and local offices today

Polls in North Carolina are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. local time on this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voters in Greensboro, High Point, and Burlington can find their specific polling places at vote.gov. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, according to Ballotpedia. The state is using a new congressional map for this mid-term election following recent redistricting decisions.

The most prominent state race is the U.S. Senate contest for an open seat. Former Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, faces Michael Whatley, a Republican and former chair of the Republican National Committee. Ballotpedia notes that the four parties on the ballot are Democratic, Green, Libertarian, and Republican. This seat was previously held by Thom Tillis, who retired after clashing with President Donald Trump. The Associated Press describes North Carolina as one of the key battlegrounds for Senate control, with the state having voted for Trump by a margin of 3.3 points in 2024.

Every U.S. House seat in North Carolina is on the ballot. The state is one of six that are using new congressional maps after mid-decade redistricting, alongside California, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. Voters in the Triad region will also decide on state and local offices. Ballotpedia lists state Senate, state House, and state Supreme Court races as part of the statewide ballot. Intermediate appellate courts and school board elections are also taking place, varying by county.

Three constitutional amendments are on the statewide ballot for North Carolina voters to consider. The first is a Property Tax Levy Limit Amendment, which would require the state legislature to pass laws limiting the amount that property taxes may increase. The second is a Reduce Income Tax Rate Cap Amendment, which seeks to reduce the maximum allowable income tax rate from 7 percent to 3.5 percent. The third is a Require Voter Identification Amendment, which would require photographic identification to vote for all voters, not just those voting in person.

Locally, voters in Greensboro, High Point, and Burlington are choosing municipal government officials and local ballot measures. These local races vary by county and are part of the broader slate of offices determined by the state election calendar. The general election date of November 3, 2026, follows the primary on March 3 and the primary runoff on May 12, as outlined by Ballotpedia. Local officials will determine the final outcomes for these community-level positions.

Nationally, the election is viewed as a referendum on the first half of President Donald Trump's second term. The Associated Press reports that voters are struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. Polling from AP-NORC indicates that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of the president's job performance, while about seven in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states.

The control of Congress is the central national issue. All 435 House seats are up for grabs, with Democrats needing a net gain of three districts to take the majority. Republicans hold 218 seats and can lose no more than two. In the Senate, 35 seats are at stake, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to achieve a majority. Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats. The Associated Press notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber, with Republicans bracing to lose the House while fighting to hold the Senate.

Governor races are also significant in this mid-term cycle, with 36 governorships on the ballot. Democrats are defending five governorships in states that Trump won in 2024, while Republicans are defending two in states that Kamala Harris won. The Associated Press identifies Georgia, Nevada, and Ohio as competitive governor races. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson is challenging Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. In Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy is facing Amy Acton, with the race marked by a controversial ad campaign.

The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees at the committee level, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. According to AP analysis of AdImpact data, 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024. This heavy spending reflects the high stakes of the election, where a strong Democratic night could boost potential 2028 candidates and complicate the path for Vice President JD Vance.

Administrative issues have also played a role in the lead-up to today. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, citing risks to eligible voters. The U.S. Postal Service added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching the results for insights into investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. The outcome of today's votes will determine who controls Congress for the final two years of the current presidential term.

Voters in North Carolina are casting their ballots on a day that defines the national political landscape. From the Senate race in Raleigh to the local measures in Burlington, the choices made today will shape the balance of power in Washington and the communities across the Triad. The polls will close at 7:30 p.m., and the results will begin to emerge as the count is finalized. The state's new congressional map will play a crucial role in determining the composition of the next U.S. House of Representatives.