North Carolina First to Mail 2026 Absentee Ballots

North Carolina began mailing absentee ballots for the 2026 general election, making it the first state to do so, as a legal dispute over federal mail-voting requirements reaches the U.S. Supreme Court. President Donald Trump’s March executive order would require measures including new envelope markings, unique barcodes and a U.S. Postal Service online portal, but states and voting-rights groups argue the federal government lacks authority to impose them and warn of voter confusion or rejected ballots. State election officials say North Carolina is prepared to comply with any changes and has coordinated with the Postal Service. The State Board of Elections also approved updated guidance requiring counties to notify voters about certain correctable problems, while ballots may be canceled and replaced if officials have firsthand evidence that an unauthorized person returned one or if specified envelope requirements are not met. Most ballots returned in person must be delivered by the voter, a near relative or legal guardian, with an exception for voters who need assistance because of a disability; officials urged voters to follow instructions carefully and keep their contact information current.