Jackson County Voting Guide: March 3, 2026 Primary
Everything you need to vote in the 2026 primary—deadlines, early voting, same-day registration,
voter ID, unaffiliated ballot choices, and what’s on the ballot locally.
COPA WNC is providing voter information. Always confirm your polling location and sample ballot using Voter Search on NC State BOE website.
Key dates & deadlines
Fri, Feb. 6, 2026 (5:00 p.m.) — Voter registration deadline. (If you miss it, you can still register and vote during early voting via same-day registration.)
Thu, Feb. 12, 2026 — In-person early voting begins.
Want to vote in a different party’s primary this year? The cleanest way is to update your party affiliation
by the voter registration deadline: Fri, Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. North Carolina offers online voter registration and updates through a partnership with NCDMV and the State Board of Elections.
If you are eligible to vote and live in the county but missed the registration deadline, you can register during early voting and vote immediately at that same site.
This is called same-day registration.
When: Only during the early voting period (Feb. 12–Feb. 28).
Where: At an in-person early voting site in your county.
What to bring: You will need to complete a registration application and provide proof of residence as required by NCSBE rules. (See below for list.)
Also available: During early voting you may update your name or address within the same county, if needed.
Voter ID: what you need (and what students should know)
North Carolina voters are asked to show photo ID when voting. Most voters use a driver’s license,
but NCSBE lists multiple acceptable IDs. Voters are also allowed to vote even if they do not have a photo ID,
using the procedures described by NCSBE.
What to do now
Plan to bring a qualifying photo ID.
If you don’t have one, review NCSBE’s options (including how to get a free ID and what to do if you show up without one).
The State Board approves certain student and public employee IDs for use as voter ID in the 2025–26 elections.
If you’re a student, confirm whether your institution’s card is on the approved list.
Unaffiliated (independent) voters: how you choose a ballot
If you’re registered unaffiliated, you can still vote in the primary—but you must choose one ballot style.
You may participate in the primary of a recognized political party or request a nonpartisan ballot.
You may vote in only one party’s primary.
Choosing a party ballot does not change your unaffiliated status.
A nonpartisan ballot includes only nonpartisan contests (if any) such as referenda.
Jackson County races
Your sample ballot will depend on your voter registration (party and address). Below are major Jackson County contests
appearing on the 2026 primary candidate list.
Jackson County Sheriff (Republican primary)
Doug Farmer
Brandon Elders
Jackson County Board of Commissioners — Chairman
Democratic primary
Marcia Almond
Bobbi Hopp
Republican primary
Jarrett Crowe
Jon Brown
David J. Rogers
Mark A. Letson
Jackson County Board of Commissioners — District 1
Democratic primary
Casey Walawender
German “Worm” Vivas
Julie Extine Painter
John A. Herrera
Republican primary
Steven J. Sutton
Anthony K. Sequoyah Sr.
Jackson County Board of Commissioners — District 2 (Democratic primary)
If you were planning to vote early on campus and discovered your site is no longer available, you still have options.
The most important step is to verify your early voting locations and your Election Day polling place using Voter Search.
What hasn’t changed
You can still vote during early voting (Feb. 12–Feb. 28), and you can vote at any early voting site in your county.
If you are not registered in the county (or need to update certain details), you can use same-day registration during early voting.
WCU Student and Employee IDs will work as voter ID.
What to do right now (5-minute checklist)
Use Voter Search to confirm your registration and find your sample ballot.
