North Carolina
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the state view: events recorded for North Carolina, then national events that apply here. See the national timeline.
In North Carolina
2026
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State Board extends Election Day voting at five precincts in four counties
On November 3, 2026, the North Carolina State Board of Elections voted to extend voting at five precincts in four counties because of stoppages in voting during the day: South Williams-Tabor City Courthouse until 8:15 p.m.; Como Fire and Rescue Building until 7:55 p.m.; Murfreesboro 1-Murfee Center and K8 Holloway Recreation Center in Kinston until 8 p.m.; and Wilson City Recreation Building until 7:45 p.m. The board said state law lets it extend hours where voting is interrupted for at least 15 minutes, only as long as the disruption, and that votes cast by voters arriving after 7:30 p.m. at these sites are provisional. It said first unofficial results were expected around 8:15 p.m.
Counties: Columbus County, Hertford County, Lenoir County, Wilson County
Source last checked Nov 3, 2026
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State Board sets two early-voting sites in Cullowhee after Jackson County board splits
WLOS reported on October 14, 2026 that because the Jackson County Board of Elections did not adopt a unanimous early-voting plan, the State Board of Elections voted unanimously to set two early-voting sites in Cullowhee: the Cullowhee Recreation site and Western Carolina University's Health and Human Sciences building, replacing a site at the University Center. County elections director Amanda Allen said, "Our county had a nonunanimous plan, so there was a discrepancy." The station reported the Health and Human Sciences building would be the only precinct open in Cullowhee on Election Day. Cullowhee lies in Jackson County.
- Voters to see changes to early voting, Election Day locations in Cullowhee ↗ News report, WLOS
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 places by county, North Carolina ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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State Board approves one early-voting site and no weekend hours for Anson County
On August 20, 2026, the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved, along party lines, a Republican-backed early-voting plan for Anson County with one site and no weekend hours, which Carolina Public Press described as the minimum state law allows. The outlet reported that the county's 2022 plan had included three Saturdays and one Sunday, and that State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes said recent staff turnover in the county office had required help from the State Board and neighboring counties.
- NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP ↗ News report, Carolina Public Press
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Columbus County early-voting plan: board floated one site, State Board approves plan with Fair Bluff site
Carolina Public Press reported that the Columbus County Board of Elections chair floated cutting the county's five usual early-voting sites to one, then the board moved to three and then four sites. On August 20, 2026, the State Board of Elections, whose members voted along party lines on most plans that day, approved a plan proposed by member Stacy Eggers that included a site at the Fair Bluff Fire Department and kept the county board's removal of a Sunday. Voters protested outside the State Board office over the cuts.
- NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP ↗ News report, Carolina Public Press
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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State Board approves four early-voting sites for Granville County after a split county board
Carolina Public Press reported that Granville County had three early-voting sites in the 2022 midterm. The county's Republican members proposed moving the downtown Oxford site about five miles outside town, adding a site in Stovall and cutting the South Branch Library site; board Democrats opposed that plan. After county commissioners offered $60,000 for four sites, the State Board of Elections on August 20, 2026 approved a four-site compromise proposed by member Stacy Eggers, by a 4-1 vote.
- NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP ↗ News report, Carolina Public Press
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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State Board approves Guilford County early-voting plan with Stokesdale and Union Square sites, not campus sites
On August 20, 2026, the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved the Guilford County Board of Elections' majority early-voting plan for the November election by a 3-2 vote. Carolina Public Press reported that the county board had voted 4-1 to add sites in Stokesdale and Union Square instead of sites at North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, which students had asked for. The outlet reported that neither campus has hosted a site in a midterm election, though both were used in recent presidential elections.
- NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP ↗ News report, Carolina Public Press
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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State Board unanimously approves one three-hour Sunday of early voting in Lee County
Carolina Public Press reported that Lee County's Republican majority proposed no weekend early voting beyond the required final Saturday, while Democrats proposed the first weekend or the first Saturday. On August 20, 2026, the State Board of Elections unanimously approved a middle plan with one Sunday of early voting for three hours.
- NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP ↗ News report, Carolina Public Press
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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State Board approves plans dropping Sunday early voting in Harnett, Nash, Chatham, Wayne and Greene counties
On August 20, 2026, the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved county early-voting plans that cut Sunday voting days. Carolina Public Press reported that Harnett, Nash, Chatham and Wayne counties each lost two Sundays and Greene County lost one, compared with their earlier plans. The board voted along party lines on most of the 20 disputed plans it reviewed that day.
Counties: Harnett County, Nash County, Chatham County, Wayne County, Greene County
- NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP ↗ News report, Carolina Public Press
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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State Board approves Union County early-voting plan with Saturdays only
Carolina Public Press reported that Union County held early voting every weekend in the 2022 midterm, but its 2026 board could agree on only one Saturday. On August 20, 2026, the State Board of Elections voted along party lines to approve the Republican majority's plan, which had all Saturdays and no Sundays. The county board's Republican chair, Chris Duggan, said a budget cut played a large role in the decision.
- NC Elections Board decides early voting plans for 20 counties, mostly siding with GOP ↗ News report, Carolina Public Press
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
2024
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State Board approves emergency voting measures for 13 counties after Hurricane Helene
On October 7, 2024 the State Board of Elections voted 5-0 to approve emergency measures for 13 western counties where infrastructure, voting-site access and postal service remained severely disrupted after Helene. They allowed county boards to modify early voting sites, days and hours and Election Day polling places by bipartisan majority vote, and allowed in-person absentee requests through Nov. 4 and hand delivery of absentee ballots to other county boards. The counties are Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.
Counties: Ashe County, Avery County, Buncombe County, Haywood County, Henderson County, Madison County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Polk County, Rutherford County, Transylvania County, Watauga County, Yancey County
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2019
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Report counts 1 fewer polling place in Caswell County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Caswell County had 10 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 9 in 2018, a change of -1 (-10%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 69 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 5 fewer polling places in Cleveland County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Cleveland County had 26 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 21 in 2018, a change of -5 (-19%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 69 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 3 fewer polling places in Craven County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Craven County had 27 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 24 in 2018, a change of -3 (-11%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 4 fewer polling places in Halifax County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Halifax County had 25 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 21 in 2018, a change of -4 (-16%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 1 more polling place in Harnett County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Harnett County had 12 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 13 in 2018, a change of +1 (8%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 1 more polling place in Hoke County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Hoke County had 14 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 15 in 2018, a change of +1 (7%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 1 fewer polling place in Jackson County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Jackson County had 15 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 14 in 2018, a change of -1 (-7%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 1 fewer polling place in Martin County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Martin County had 12 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 11 in 2018, a change of -1 (-8%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 3 fewer polling places in Nash County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Nash County had 27 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 24 in 2018, a change of -3 (-11%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 4 fewer polling places in Pasquotank County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Pasquotank County had 13 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 9 in 2018, a change of -4 (-31%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 3 fewer polling places in Person County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Person County had 14 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 11 in 2018, a change of -3 (-21%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Report counts 4 fewer polling places in Robeson County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Robeson County had 42 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 38 in 2018, a change of -4 (-10%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
1984
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Justice Department objects to Robeson County precinct consolidation and closing the South Smiths polling place
On September 21, 1984 the Justice Department wrote that it "must object" to the consolidation of voting precincts and the elimination of the South Smiths polling place in Robeson County. The Department's list notes the objection was withdrawn January 28, 1985.
- Justice Department, Voting Determination Letters for North Carolina (Section 5 objection letters) ↗
- Justice Department Section 5 objection letter, September 21, 1984 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
1978
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Justice Department objects to a polling place change in Elizabeth City
On January 3, 1978 the Justice Department objected to the Pasquotank County Board of Elections' change of the polling place for Precinct 4-A in Elizabeth City. The letter said the department was unable to conclude the change lacked a racially discriminatory effect, and noted the board gave differing reasons: that the property had been sold, and that the building was unsuitable for the voting machines.
- Justice Department, Voting Determination Letters for North Carolina (Section 5 objection letters) ↗
- Justice Department Section 5 objection letter, January 3, 1978 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
Nationwide
2026
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Justice Department begins notifying counties it wants to monitor on Election Day 2026
NPR reported on October 21, 2026 that the Justice Department began notifying counties it wants to monitor on Election Day starting Tuesday, October 20. NPR confirmed notices to Adams County, Colorado; seven counties in Texas; King County, Washington; Miami-Dade County, Florida; and Hennepin and Ramsey counties in Minnesota. NPR reports that state officials were at first not notified at the same time as counties, and that a department spokesperson said it prioritizes places with competitive elections and would monitor Adams County because it is covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. Colorado's Secretary of State's office told NPR it was considering how to respond, since state rules require observers to have its permission unless a court orders otherwise.
- The Justice Department begins notifying counties where it wants to monitor elections ↗ News report, NPR
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Justice Department says it will send 1,000 election monitors across all 50 states
The Alaska Beacon (States Newsroom) reported on October 29, 2026 that the Justice Department announced that week that it plans to deploy 1,000 federal monitors across all 50 states for the November 3, 2026 election, and that a department spokesperson said the full list of monitored locations will not be disclosed until Election Day. The report says that in the 2022 midterm elections the department sent monitors to 64 jurisdictions in 24 states.
- US Department of Justice to deploy federal elections monitors to Alaska, locations unknown (October 29, 2026; Internet Archive copy) ↗ News report, Alaska Beacon
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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Civil rights and labor groups sue over possible federal immigration agents near polling places
On September 18, 2026, a coalition of nine civil rights and union groups sued in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to prevent the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling locations in November. States Newsroom reported it as the second such suit that month. The groups argue the policy violates the federal law that bars "armed men" at election sites and the Voting Rights Act's bar on intimidation. A Justice Department spokesperson said: "The DOJ has never said it would send federal law enforcement to polling locations." A Homeland Security spokesperson said ICE was not planning operations that targeted polling locations. No ruling is recorded here.
- U.S. District Court, D.D.C.: NAACP v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:26-cv-03263, Complaint (Doc. 1, filed September 18, 2026; CourtListener copy) ↗
- A second lawsuit challenges plans to put ICE agents near polling places (September 21, 2026) ↗ News report, Government Executive (States Newsroom)
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Latino and voting groups and the City of Denver sue over armed immigration agents at polling places
On September 10, 2026, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Common Cause, Common Cause Education Fund, UnidosUS and the City and County of Denver, Colorado filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (No. 1:26-cv-03157) against the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and their leaders. The complaint alleges that the Homeland Security Secretary's statements of September 1, 2026 set a policy of authorizing armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to go to polling places, which the plaintiffs say violates 18 U.S.C. § 592, the law that bars federal officials from keeping "any troops or armed men at any place where a general or special election is held" except to repel armed enemies of the United States. No ruling is recorded in this entry.
- Complaint, League of United Latin American Citizens v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:26-cv-03157 (D.D.C. filed Sept. 10, 2026) (CourtListener RECAP copy) ↗
- Docket, No. 1:26-cv-03157 (D.D.C.) (CourtListener) ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
2025
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Justice Department announces it will monitor polling sites in six California and New Jersey counties
On October 24, 2025, the Justice Department announced that it would monitor polling sites ahead of the November 4, 2025 general election in six jurisdictions: Passaic County, New Jersey, and Kern, Riverside, Fresno, Orange and Los Angeles counties, California. The release says the Civil Rights Division would deploy personnel who would coordinate with U.S. Attorney's Offices.
- Justice Department press release, October 24, 2025 ↗
- Justice Department press release (October 24, 2025), Internet Archive copy of October 9, 2026 ↗
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2021
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Election Assistance Commission adopts Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 2.0
The Election Assistance Commission says that on February 10, 2021 its commissioners unanimously adopted version 2.0 of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, the specifications against which voting systems are tested. The EAC says it stopped using versions 1.0 and 1.1 to certify voting systems as of November 16, 2023, and that previously certified systems are not decertified by that change.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2017
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Homeland Security designates election infrastructure as critical infrastructure
On January 6, 2017, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he had determined "that election infrastructure in this country should be designated as a subsector of the existing Government Facilities critical infrastructure sector." The statement defines election infrastructure as including "storage facilities, polling places, and centralized vote tabulations locations" and voter registration databases and voting machines.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1984
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Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act becomes law
Public Law 98-435, dated September 28, 1984, is titled "To improve access for handicapped and elderly individuals to registration facilities and polling places for Federal elections."
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · How people voted in past elections, by county · Back to the 2026 voting center.