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UpdateNorth CarolinaTuesday, October 20, 2026

North Carolina absentee ballot restrictions upheld for midterms

Reporting by
Democracy Docket
“North Carolina absentee ballot restrictions will remain in effect for midterms, judge rules”, Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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What happened

A federal judge ruled that North Carolina's new absentee ballot restrictions, which include signature matching and envelope sealing requirements, will remain in effect for the midterms. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Schroeder rejected challenges from the North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans and other voting rights groups. The judge cited the Supreme Court's Purcell principle and faulted plaintiffs for waiting too long to sue.1

More than 30,000 absentee ballots have already been cast and some are being rejected under the new envelope sealing rule.1

More than 30,000
absentee ballots already cast1
What it means in North Carolina

What this means for North Carolina voters

Some absentee ballots are being rejected under the new envelope sealing rule.1 Absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.2

Key dates in North Carolina

Election Day in 6 days
  1. Fri, Oct 9 · passed
    Registration deadline
  2. Thu, Oct 15 · passed
    Early voting begins
  3. Tue, Oct 20 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · 6 days
    Election Day; Mail ballots must arrive
  5. Fri, Nov 13 · 16 days
    County/Local certification
  6. Thu, Dec 10 · 43 days
    State certification

Every date in North Carolina, and who certifies the election

More on this story
North Carolina · Oct 28
North Carolina disqualified hundreds of mail ballots over unsealed envelopes
Reporting by NPR
North Carolina · Oct 25
Buncombe County rejected 45 absentee ballots for return errors
Reporting by WLOS local news
The answers behind this
Mail and early votingVoting in North Carolina, 2026How are votes counted and certified in North Carolina?Who certifies the election in North Carolina, and by when?

Explore this issue

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Sources

  1. Democracy Docket, https://democracydocket.com/news-alerts/north-carolina-absentee-ballot-restrictions-will-remain-in-effect-for-midterms-judge-rules · Tuesday, October 20, 2026
  2. Vote.org, North Carolina Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/north-carolina/

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