Voters across North and South Carolina will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect new U.S. senators for their respective states. These races are part of the nationwide midterm general election, and significant developments have already shaped the fields of candidates.
In North Carolina, the upcoming election will see a new face representing the state in the U.S. Senate, as current Senator Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection in 2026. The Democratic nominee is former Governor Roy Cooper, who will contend against Republican nominee Michael Whatley, the former GOP chair. This statewide office, alongside state legislative and local positions such as school board, sheriff, and county council, will be on ballots across North Carolina.
South Carolina residents will also cast votes for a U.S. Senate seat. The incumbent, Republican Senator Darline Graham, is running for reelection. Senator Graham was appointed to her position earlier this year following the unexpected death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. She secured the Republican nomination after winning a primary runoff election held in August. Challenging Senator Graham for the Democratic nomination is Dr. Annie Andrews.
For North Carolina voters, the deadline to register for the 2026 general election has passed, set for October 9. However, the state provides a same-day voter registration option during the early in-person voting period, which is currently underway and continues through October 31. It is important to note that same-day voter registration will not be available on Election Day, November 3. For those choosing to vote by mail in North Carolina, completed absentee ballots must reach their local elections office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
South Carolina also has an early voting period, which runs through October 31, 2026. Unlike North Carolina, South Carolina does not offer same-day voter registration. Absentee ballots in South Carolina must be received by the county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on Election Day to ensure they are counted.
To help prepare residents for the upcoming elections, WBTV anchor Darrell Green and investigative reporter David Hodges have been presenting a series of election explainers. These informational streams aired each Tuesday in October, with the final episode occurring on October 27. Green and Hodges have provided breakdowns of various topics, including referendums and major races, offering residents insights into the electoral process.
