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Charlotte Early Voting Enters Last Week as Officials Debunk Rumor

Published October 26, 2026 at 7:44 am | By Jesse Young, Staff Reporter

Voting sign pointing to a polling place

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte and Mecklenburg County voters have one week left to cast a ballot early, and county election officials are using the final stretch to knock down a rumor that keeps coming back.

In-person early voting across North Carolina wraps up at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, according to the State Board of Elections. Until then, a Mecklenburg voter can go to any early site in the county, not just the one closest to home. On Election Day the rules tighten, and each registered voter must use an assigned precinct.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections is warning voters about social media posts claiming that a ballot is ruined if an election worker writes on it. The board says that claim is false in North Carolina. The posts have circulated for years and have popped up again in a number of counties, the board said, but poll workers routinely make marks on ballots for reasons the law requires, and doing so does not cancel anyone’s vote.

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Early voting is also the window for people who are not registered in the county to sign up and vote in the same visit. That option is mostly unavailable on Election Day. Everyone checking in will be asked to show photo identification.

Voters holding a mail ballot can hand it in at any open early voting site, where an election worker will take it, instead of mailing it. Curbside voting is offered for eligible voters who cannot easily go inside.

The county elections office is at 741 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 202, in Charlotte, and staff can be reached at 704-336-2133. The board’s website lists every early voting site and its hours.

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Section: More Charlotte NC politics news

Filed under: Charlotte NC Politics News

What's Happening
When does early voting end?
3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Does a poll worker writing on my ballot void it?
No. County officials say that rumor is false in North Carolina.
Can I register and vote now?
Yes, during early voting; bring photo ID.
Jesse Young
HERE Charlotte · POLITICS

Jesse is a staff reporter for HERE Charlotte covering local news, community stories, and developments across Mecklenburg County. Jesse is committed to accurate, community-first journalism.

Contact Jesse
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