General Election in-person early voting begins Thursday

Published on October 13, 2026

2026 General Election Cabarrus early voting locations.png

In-person early voting for the 2026 General Election kicks off this week.

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 15, Cabarrus voters can cast their ballot at four locations across the county (the Cabarrus County Board of Elections office will not serve as an early voting site):

  • Cabarrus EMS HQ Station 9, 793 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord
  • Cabarrus Afton Ridge Library and Active Living Center, 6095 Glen Afton Blvd., Kannapolis
  • Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Highway 49, Concord
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community College at NCRC, 399 Biotechnology Lane, Kannapolis

Dates and times are:

  • Thurs., Oct. 15 through Fri., Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Sat., Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mon., Oct. 19 through Fri., Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Sat., Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mon., Oct. 26 through Fri., Oct. 30, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Sat., Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

During the early voting period, voters may cast their ballots at any of the four approved early voting locations. On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned precinct.

To help voters plan their visit, the County’s Wait Time Tracker, available at waittimes.cabarruscounty.us, provides current wait times for each early voting site, along with operating hours and driving directions.

Voters may change their name or address at any early voting site. Unregistered early voters enjoy a special provision that allows them to register on the same day they vote. Same-day registrants must show documentation with their current address. Acceptable documentation includes:

  • A North Carolina driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification showing the voter’s name and address
  • A copy of a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document showing the voter’s name and address
  • For students living on campus, documentation from an educational institution with the student’s name and on-campus housing address

Registration is not available on Election Day (Nov. 3). The deadline to register to vote on Election Day was Fri., Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.

Bring ID

North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in-person and by mail. If a Cabarrus voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they can get one free from the Board of Elections office (369 Church St. N, Concord) or fill out an ID Exception Form. Visit https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id to learn more.

2026 General Election key dates

Here’s a rundown of all the important dates for the 2026 General Election: 

  • Oct. 15: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available throughout the early voting period
  • Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.)
  • Oct. 31: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.)
  • Nov. 3: Election Day
  • Nov. 3: All absentee ballots must be received at the Board of Elections Office (369 Church St. N, Concord) by 7:30 p.m.

Stay informed

Find sample ballots, check voter registration information, confirm polling locations and more by visiting www.cabarruscounty.us/elections. Stay up to date with election information by following the County’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cabarruscounty and signing up for the County’s biweekly newsletter, CabConnect, at www.cabarruscounty.us/CabGo.

 

Tagged as:
Back to top