2026 Voting and Election Resource Guide

Women for Women believes in ensuring women’s voices are at the forefront of the democratic process. We support public policy initiatives that ensure accessible and fair voting. This email provides nonpartisan information and resources to educate, engage, and empower you and our community to participate in elections. You can find a PDF version here.

By helping women make informed choices and ensuring their voices are heard, we strengthen civic participation and contribute to a stronger Western North Carolina.

Voter turnout plays a significant role in shaping election outcomes. Please share this information with your networks. Ask your family and friends whether they have a plan to vote. Take a neighbor to vote. Volunteer for a voting activity. Your voice, your vote … it matters! 

Click here to make sure you are registered and that your voter information is accurate and up to date. 

Not Registered to Vote? Click here to register to vote online through the DMV.

The deadline to register for the upcoming election is Thursday, October 9. If you miss the registration deadline, you may still be able to register in person during the early voting period. Click here to find out more about same-day registration.

When and Where Can You Vote?

Vote Early in Person

o  Early Voting will run from Thursday, October 15 to Saturday, October 31.

o  Click here to find early voting sites and schedules in your county.

Vote in Person on Election Day

o  Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

o  Your voting district and polling place may have changed! N.C. redrew its congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections. Click here to access the Voter Search tool and confirm your district and voting location, and to access your sample ballot.

Vote by Mail

o  Any registered voter in N.C. can vote by mail using an absentee ballot.

o  The deadline to request an absentee ballot for yourself or a near relative is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 20.

o  Absentee ballots must be received by your county’s board of elections by 7:30 pm on election day, November 3. There is no longer a grace period for ballots postmarked on or before election day.

o  Click here to request an absentee ballot and find more information about voting by mail.

o If you plan to vote by mail, you will need to include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID when returning your ballot.

Have an N.C. College Student in your life? Share this Student Guide to Voting with your student so they have the resources and knowledge they need to vote.

Did you know that more than 30% of voters do not complete their ballots? An incomplete ballot is a missed opportunity to have the broadest possible impact in an election. The more you know about the races on your ballot, the less you leave blank.

Use the resources below to familiarize yourself with your sample ballot and learn about the different candidates running for each office.

·      Find your Sample Ballot here

·      NC Voter Non-Partisan Voter Guides – enter your address to get a list of candidates on your ballot and overviews of their stances on important issues.

·      Judicial Voter Guide

·      Learn about the 3 Constitutional Amendments on N.C.’s 2026 ballot

·      Learn about the 2 Bond Referendums for Buncombe County voters

Get More Involved

The following organizations provide non-partisan voter information, education, registration resources, election-related training, and opportunities for volunteering and civic engagement.

·      North Carolina State Board of Elections

·      Buncombe County Elections Services

·      League of Women Voters of North Carolina

·      League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe

·      WNC Votes

·      Democracy NC

·      A Guide to Taking Action in 2026 – a list of resources and opportunities to promote voting

·      Election Protection – learn about becoming a Vote Protector!

·      How To Vote/Cómo Votar – field guide to overcoming barriers to voting, in English & Spanish

The information and resources provided above are non-partisan voter education and civic engagement resources. This is not a comprehensive list - many additional local and state resources are available. WFW and the CFWNC do not endorse the organizations, candidates, ballot measures, or other efforts referenced in these resources. We share this information to help WFW members access reliable election information and make their own informed decisions.