North Carolina voters cast a record 2,816,821 early ballots for the 2026 midterms, accounting for 35.7% of all registered voters statewide, WBTV reported.

That marks a sharp climb from 2022, when early-voting turnout stood at 29%.

The 17-day early-voting window closed Saturday, Oct. 31. Voters who haven't yet cast a ballot have one more chance: Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls open statewide at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

Unlike early voting, Election Day voters must go to their assigned polling place, which is based on their registered home address.

Union County turnout

In Union County, nine early-voting sites logged a combined 65,846 ballots over the 15 days of reported turnout, according to the Union County Board of Elections. The Waxhaw site recorded 5,353 early voters, and the Wesley Chapel site drew 9,256.

The county's busiest single day was Oct. 30, when 7,200 voters turned out across all nine locations. The final day, Oct. 31, added another 5,781.

Union County had 186,203 registered voters as of Sept. 30, according to the county elections board. Unaffiliated voters make up the largest bloc at 73,718, followed by Republicans at 72,471 and Democrats at 38,809.

Who's driving the surge

Statewide, unaffiliated voters represented 35% of early ballots, up from 30% in 2022, WBTV reported. Registered Democrats held steady at 38% of the early vote. Registered Republicans dropped to 26%, down from 31% four years ago.

Younger voters showed up in force. Ballots cast by voters aged 18 to 25 nearly doubled compared to 2022, surpassing 200,000. Turnout among voters aged 26 to 40 jumped 50%, reaching more than 417,000 ballots.

Turnout ran higher than 2022 in 97 of North Carolina's 100 counties.

What's on the ballot

North Carolina voters will fill an open U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis. Roy Cooper, who served as governor from 2017 to 2025, faces Michael Whatley, who served as Republican National Committee chairman from 2024 to 2025, WBTV reported.

Two U.S. House races in the state are considered toss-ups, according to CBS News. In District 11, Republican Jennifer Balkom faces Democrat Jamie Ager. In District 1, incumbent Democrat Don Davis faces Republican Laurie Buckhout.

Voters will also decide three proposed constitutional amendments: one expanding the photo ID requirement to all methods of voting, one capping the state income tax rate at 3.5%, and one requiring limits on local government property tax increases.

Union County's ballot also includes local referendums, along with races for judges, district attorneys, the county sheriff and Board of Education members.

What to bring

North Carolina voters are asked to show photo identification at check-in. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, college or university ID and military ID.

Voters without an ID can still cast a ballot by filling out an ID Exception Form at the polls, according to WFAE.

Absentee ballots must be received by the voter's county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. The previous grace period for ballots arriving after Election Day is no longer in effect.