Election Day November 3rd 2026 - Polls open at 6:30am and close at 7:30pm
Election Guidance from the Polk County Democrats
- ★ PLEASE — you must vote the entire ticket.
A wise person once said "The further down the ballot you go, the closer you get to your front door." Or, Roy Cooper isn't coming to visit me, but the dog catcher might! But seriously, in a time when statewide elections are sometimes decided by a few hundred votes (or just 10 votes per county) it is vitally important that we vote Democrat for each and every race on the ballot. Last election cycle around 160,000 Democrats didn't vote the whole ticket causing Dems to lose some races. Get to know the candidates and feel good about your choices. - Make sure to vote for BOTH Ray Gasperson and Jon Klimstra (both Dems) for Polk County Commissioner as you are able to vote for 2 candidates in this race.
- VOTE "Against" all ballot questions which were all put forward by the NC legislature
These are all "red meat" ballot questions to bring Republicans to the polls. One amendment deals with Voter ID - which is already law. Another caps income tax and the other property tax. Both would make it even harder for towns to provide the services we all need. These amendments are basically self sabotage. Infrastructure, police, fire, school and general services will suffer badly.
Volunteer to Help the Polk Dems with Local Canvassing or Poll Greeting
Contact Chris Reynolds at [email protected] or call 802-893-9920
Contact Chris Reynolds at [email protected] or call 802-893-9920
Important Dates
*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
- Sept. 4: Absentee ballots must be available and distributed to military and overseas voters. For more, see Vote by Mail.
- Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline (5 pm)* For more, see How to Register.
- Oct. 15: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available. For more, see Vote Early in Person.
- Oct. 15: You may be able to register to vote during early voting - info here
- Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 pm)*
- Oct. 31: In-person early voting ends (3 pm)
- Nov. 3: Election Day. For more, see Vote in Person on Election Day.
- Nov. 3: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 pm)*
*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
Problem at the Polls with Your Voting Status? Not on the list?
No Voter Shall be Turned Away Who Wishes to Vote. It is the Law. You will be given a provisional ballot that will be processed no sooner than 10 days after the election. The voter will also be given a PIN number to track the status of their ballot. The ballot will be reviewed by the governing board of election where the vote was made. The voter may be contacted with an opportunity to cure the ballot.
2025 North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws
Article 14A - Voting
§ 163-166.11. Provisional voting requirements. If an individual seeking to vote claims to be a registered voter in a jurisdiction as provided in G.S. 163-82.1 and though eligible to vote in the election does not appear on the official list of eligible registered voters in the voting place, that individual may cast a provisional official ballot as follows:
(1) An election official at the voting place shall notify the individual that the individual may cast a provisional official ballot in that election.
Full Statute Here
Track your Provisional Ballot
With the PIN number given to you by election workers and your birth date, you can track the status of your mail-in ballot online at Ballottrax (https://northcarolina.ballottrax.net/voter/).
Call the NC Democratic Party with questions
833-868-3462
No Voter Shall be Turned Away Who Wishes to Vote. It is the Law. You will be given a provisional ballot that will be processed no sooner than 10 days after the election. The voter will also be given a PIN number to track the status of their ballot. The ballot will be reviewed by the governing board of election where the vote was made. The voter may be contacted with an opportunity to cure the ballot.
2025 North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws
Article 14A - Voting
§ 163-166.11. Provisional voting requirements. If an individual seeking to vote claims to be a registered voter in a jurisdiction as provided in G.S. 163-82.1 and though eligible to vote in the election does not appear on the official list of eligible registered voters in the voting place, that individual may cast a provisional official ballot as follows:
(1) An election official at the voting place shall notify the individual that the individual may cast a provisional official ballot in that election.
Full Statute Here
Track your Provisional Ballot
With the PIN number given to you by election workers and your birth date, you can track the status of your mail-in ballot online at Ballottrax (https://northcarolina.ballottrax.net/voter/).
Call the NC Democratic Party with questions
833-868-3462
Register to Vote at NC Dept. of Transportation Website (deadline Oct. 9th at 5pm)
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx
Election Day Voting Locations (November 3rd)
Vote in the Precinct Where You Live
Hours on Election Day for ALL Polling Places - 6:30am to 7:30pm
Vote in the Precinct Where You Live
Hours on Election Day for ALL Polling Places - 6:30am to 7:30pm
- COOPERS GAP: Sunny View Elementary School (GYM) — 86 Sunny View School Rd, Mill Spring NC 28756
- COLUMBUS 1: Polk County High School — 1681 NC-108, Columbus NC 28722
- COLUMBUS 2: Isothermal Community College — 1255 W Mills St. Columbus NC 28722
- GREEN CREEK: Green Creek Community Center — 25 Shields Dr. Columbus NC 28722
- SALUDA: (NEW) Saluda Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station — 199 Walnut St. Saluda, NC 28773
- TRYON123: Tryon Presbyterian Church — 430 Harmon Field Rd. Tryon NC 28782
- WHITE OAK: Mill Spring Fire and Rescue — 145 Old Rutherfordton Rd. Mill Spring NC 28756
Abstentee / Mail-In Voting (the earlier the better)
Since 2020 the number of people voting by mail has increased to around 500 people in Polk County. The number one error people make according to Cliff Marr at Polk BOE is not getting their ballot properly witnessed or signed. Follow all of the mail-in ballot instructions carefully. Make sure you include a photocopy of your approved ID or include an ID exception form. The earlier you vote by mail the more likely your ballot can be "cured" if there is a problem of any sort.
Since 2020 the number of people voting by mail has increased to around 500 people in Polk County. The number one error people make according to Cliff Marr at Polk BOE is not getting their ballot properly witnessed or signed. Follow all of the mail-in ballot instructions carefully. Make sure you include a photocopy of your approved ID or include an ID exception form. The earlier you vote by mail the more likely your ballot can be "cured" if there is a problem of any sort.
