Alamance County Sets March 3 Primary; Early Voting Feb. 12-28, Absentee Meetings

Alamance County will hold the statewide primary on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and posted an official notice that lays out the early-voting window and absentee procedures. "Notice of Primary Election: early voting Feb. 12–Feb. 28 at Graham, Mebane and Kernodle sites; absentee deadlines listed," the notice states. The schedule sets the practical timeline for voters deciding whether to cast ballots in person during the early-vote period or to pursue absentee ballots.

State law governs how the county handles absentee applications and requires the county board of elections to meet weekly to process those applications. "(f) Required Meeting of County Board of Elections. – During the period commencing on the fifth Tuesday before an election, in which absentee ballots are authorized, the county board shall hold one or more public meetings each Tuesday at 5:00 P.M. for the purpose of action on applications for absentee ballots. At these meetings, the county board shall pass upon applications for absentee ballots." Based on the March 3 election date, that period would commence on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, meaning the board is required to hold meetings at 5:00 PM on Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24; the statute’s wording means March 3 may also fall inside the period and should be confirmed with the board.

The statutory framework also defines who may vote absentee. "Any qualified voter of the State may vote by absentee ballot in a statewide primary," reads the statute, and the law provides a specific administrative mechanism for potential runoffs: "A voter applying for an absentee ballot for a primary election who will be eligible to vote under this Article on the day of the primary and second primary shall be permitted by the county board of elections to indicate that fact on that voter's application and that voter shall automatically be issued an application and absentee ballot for the second primary if one is called."

For local voters, the immediate takeaways are clear but incomplete in detail. Early voting is open Feb. 12–Feb. 28 at the three named sites in the county: Graham, Mebane and Kernodle. The legal notice referenced absentee deadlines but did not supply the exact dates and return rules in the material released with the notice excerpt. Voters who want to vote absentee should confirm the last day to request a ballot, the final return deadline and whether mailed ballots must be postmarked or received by a certain date.

The law also requires public notice if the county board changes meeting times or adds meetings; such changes must be published in a county newspaper at least 30 days prior to the election, which for a March 3 election means by Feb. 1, 2026. Voters and civic groups monitoring absentee processing should check whether the board published any changes by that date and confirm where the Tuesday 5:00 PM meetings will be held.

This schedule matters for turnout and for voters balancing work, travel and other commitments. Verify polling locations, hours and absentee deadlines with the Alamance County Board of Elections soon so you can plan whether to vote in person during Feb. 12–Feb. 28 early voting or to apply for an absentee ballot in time.