How to use this guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House votes on every federal law and the federal budget; bills raising revenue must start there. The U.S. Senate votes on every federal law and the budget, confirms presidential nominees including federal judges, and approves treaties. The three constitutional amendments on this ballot change North Carolina state law.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates' own words and who funds each campaign.

North Carolina's 2025 congressional map, enacted as Session Law 2025-95, is used for the 2026 election; the N.C. State Board of Elections says the new map applies in 2026. The 2026 district lines differ from those used in 2024: state lawmakers approved a new congressional map in October 2025, replacing the prior lines. ​

North Carolina law requires candidate order to be determined by a statewide drawing for alphabetical or reverse-alphabetical order by surname. The 2026 draw selected F first and reverse alphabetical order thereafter. The official 2026 candidate list gives the candidates but is not a published ballot, so the printed House and Senate ballot order could not be confirmed from the official source. Candidates in this guide appear in alphabetical order by last name within each race.

The U.S. House race

What this office does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. North Carolina's new congressional map, enacted in October 2025 as Session Law 2025-95, applies to the 2026 election and replaces the district lines used in 2024. 270toWin's consensus rates the race Likely Republican.

Candidates in brief

| | Paul Barringer (D) | Brad Knott (R) | Steven Swinton (L) |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Party | Democrat | Republican | Libertarian |
| Incumbent? | No | Yes | No |
| Background | Lawyer and health care consultant; manages family tree-farming operation; degrees from Davidson College, UNC School of Law, and Princeton University | Represents NC-13 in first term; worked with law enforcement to prosecute organized crime before Congress; law degree from Wake Forest University, bachelor's from Baylor University | Listed as a Libertarian candidate for NC-13; other background not found |
| Top priorities | Affordability, health care, and political integrity; practical reforms to lower health care costs; Congress reclaiming its oversight role | Combating serious crime, economic growth, and threats to the country from within its borders | Not found |
| Campaign website | paulbarringer.com | bradknottforcongress.com | Facebook |

Where they stand

| Issue | Paul Barringer (D) | Brad Knott (R) | Steven Swinton (L) |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | ------------------ |
| Cost of living | Says rising costs are making it harder for people in the district to make ends meet, and that tariffs and the Iran war are making life more expensive | Not found | Not found |
| Health care | Supports affordable, quality care, practical reforms to reduce costs, and continued support for Medicare and Medicaid | Not found | Not found |
| Housing | Says housing costs are increasingly out of reach | Not found | Not found |
| Immigration | Supports a secure border, consistent enforcement of immigration laws, and legal pathways for people to live and work in the United States | Not found | Not found |
| Abortion | Says the law should not impede a woman's health-care choices with her doctor; supports maternal health, contraception, adoption, and foster care | Not found | Not found |
| Climate and energy | Not found | Not found | Not found |
| Foreign policy | Supports cooperation and diplomacy with allies; says U.S. policy should reflect democracy, justice, and human rights | Not found | Not found |
| Elections | Says state-based election administration largely works and opposes a federalized approach; supports addressing partisan gerrymandering nationally | Not found | Not found |

Voters can check each candidate's campaign website directly: bradknottforcongress.com and the Swinton Facebook page.

In their own words

Paul Barringer, in The News & Observer questionnaire response on congressional oversight, Oct. 6, 2026:

"Congress should reclaim its power."

No quotes were found for Brad Knott or Steven Swinton in the sources reviewed. Brad Knott did not respond to The News & Observer questionnaire. No quotes from Steven Swinton were found in the available sources.

Questionnaires and debates

Paul Barringer responded to the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey and The News & Observer questionnaire. Barringer did not respond to Vote411.

Brad Knott did not respond to the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, The News & Observer questionnaire, or Vote411.

Steven Swinton did not respond to the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, The News & Observer questionnaire, or Vote411.

No debates were found for this race in the sources reviewed.

Endorsements

| Candidate | Endorser | Type | Source |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| Paul Barringer | The News & Observer | Newspaper | newsobserver.com |
| Paul Barringer | Blue Dog PAC | Organization | bluedogdems.com |
| Paul Barringer | Adam Gray | U.S. representative | bluedogdems.com |
| Paul Barringer | David Price | U.S. representative | votehub.com |
| Paul Barringer | Communications Workers of America | Labor union | cwa-union.org |
| Paul Barringer | Young Democrats of North Carolina | Organization | instagram.com |
| Brad Knott | Donald Trump | Executive branch / federal official | votehub.com |
| Brad Knott | U.S. Chamber of Commerce | Organization | uschamber.com |

No endorsements were found for Steven Swinton in the sources reviewed.

Who is funding them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings for Paul Barringer, Brad Knott, and Steven Swinton for the 2026 cycle through Oct. 14.

| Metric | Paul Barringer (D) | Brad Knott (R) | Steven Swinton (L) |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------ | -------------- | ------------------ |
| Total raised | $1.2 million | $1.7 million | Not reported |
| Small donors (under $200) | 29% | 9% | Not reported |
| Larger donors (over $200) | 54% | 37% | Not reported |
| PACs and other committees | 0% | 53% | Not reported |
| Party committees | 1% | 0% | Not reported |
| Self-funding | $462,000 (38%) | $0 (0%) | Not reported |
| Transfers from joint fundraising | $0 | $191,000 | Not reported |
| Cash on hand | $410,000 | $619,000 | Not reported |
| Larger-donor dollars from NC | 38% | 69% | Not reported |
| Outside spending for / against | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |

Top PACs:

Paul Barringer's top PAC donors were Democracy Summer Leadership PAC ($1,000), PAC for Good ($1,000), and Price for Congress ($1,000).

Brad Knott's top PAC donors were Novo Nordisk Inc. PAC ($13,000); Altria Group, Inc. Political Action Committee (ALTRIAPAC) ($10,000); American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Political Action Committee ($10,000); American Israel Public Affairs Committee Political Action Committee ($10,000); and Buckeye Liberty Political Action Committee ($10,000).

No PAC donors were reported for Steven Swinton. No outside spending was reported for any candidate in this race.

Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings. Smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total, so small donors' names are not public.

The incumbent's record

Votes listed here were selected by one rule applied to every incumbent: final passage of each spending, budget or defense bill that became law, every vote on a war powers resolution, and every vote against the majority of the member's own party, from the official House and Senate roll calls.

Committees and caucuses

Brad Knott serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including its Aviation, Highways and Transit, and Water Resources and Environment subcommittees. Knott also serves on the House Ethics Committee, the House Homeland Security Committee, including its Border Security and Enforcement and Oversight, Investigations and Accountability subcommittees, and the House Judiciary Committee, including its Crime and Federal Government Surveillance and Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement subcommittees. Knott is a member of the House Republican Conference.

Key votes since June 2026

| Date | Measure | Question | Knott's vote | Outcome | Broke with party? |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------- | ------------ | ------- | ----------------- |
| June 3, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Passed | No |
| June 4, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from Lebanon (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Failed | No |
| June 4, 2026 | Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027 | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| June 30, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Failed | No |
| July 22, 2026 | Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027 | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| July 22, 2026 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| July 23, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Passed | No |
| Sept. 1, 2026 | Amend Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend regulations on North Atlantic right whale | On Passage | Yes | Passed | No |
| Sept. 16, 2026 | Directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran (War Powers Resolution) | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Passed | No |

The war powers resolutions on Iran came to the House floor three times between June and September 2026; Knott voted No each time. The House passed all three. The Lebanon war powers resolution came to the floor twice; Knott voted No both times, and both failed.

Party breaks

Brad Knott voted against the majority of Republicans on one roll-call vote since June 2026.

That vote was on July 22, 2026: Knott voted No on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027; the amendment failed.

Attendance

Knott missed four of 123 roll-call votes since June 2026. A full-Congress missed-votes percentage was not available in the official record; voters can check the current figure at the lawmaker's official page.

Bills sponsored

Brad Knott sponsored six bills in the 119th Congress: two passed the House, three were introduced, and one is in committee.

The Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment Act passed the House. The Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act of 2025 also passed the House. Knott cosponsored 77 bills.

Contested claims

Heritage Action reported that Knott voted with the conservative congressional baseline 96 percent of the time in the 119th Congress. Paul Barringer's campaign cited the same 96 percent figure, attributing it to Heritage Action. No independent fact-check of this figure was found.

A Knott campaign TV ad said Paul Barringer had lived in Chevy Chase, Maryland, for almost 20 years, which the ad described as his home. NC Newsline reported Barringer was a Sanford native who had moved back to the area from Washington. No independent fact-check of the ad's claim was found.

Challengers' records

Paul Barringer has not held elected or appointed public office.

Steven Swinton ran for North Carolina State Senate District 19 in 2024 but did not win the seat and has not held public office.

The U.S. Senate race

What this office does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget; the Senate also confirms presidential nominees including federal judges, and approves treaties. This is an open seat: the previous holder was Thom Tillis, and no incumbent is running. 270toWin's consensus rates the race Likely Democratic.

Candidates in brief

| | Shannon Bray (L) | Roy Cooper (D) | Michael Dublin (G) | Michael Whatley (R) |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Party | Libertarian | Democrat | Green | Republican |
| Incumbent? | No | No | No | No |
| Background | U.S. Navy veteran; enterprise architect, technology entrepreneur and author; master's degree in cybersecurity | Served as North Carolina governor 2017–2025; four terms as North Carolina attorney general; practiced law in Rocky Mount; served in the North Carolina legislature | Retired public school teacher and U.S. military veteran; taught middle school language arts; bachelor's degree in middle grades education from N.C. State University; co-chair of the Black Caucus of the North Carolina Green Party; led a volunteer prison ministry for more than two decades | Served as chair of the Republican National Committee and North Carolina Republican Party; lives in Gastonia |
| Top priorities | Liberty, privacy, and competent modern government; accountable government, civil liberties, and responsible spending; protecting digital privacy | Supporting good-paying jobs, making health care more affordable, and lowering costs for groceries, child care, housing, and energy | "People, Planet, and Progress"; government reform, environmental justice, social and racial equity, and peace | Advancing President Trump's "America First" agenda; fiscal responsibility and domestic energy production; border security and deportation policies |
| Campaign website | shannonbray.us | roycooper.com | dublinforcongress.com | michaelwhatley.com |

Where they stand

| Issue | Shannon Bray (L) | Roy Cooper (D) | Michael Dublin (G) | Michael Whatley (R) |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Cost of living | Supports lower costs and simpler taxes; wants to fight inflation and hidden taxation | Says he will work to lower costs including groceries, rent, utilities, child care, and health care | Supports a $25 federal minimum wage, a 32-hour work week without loss of pay or benefits, guaranteed income for some groups, and price controls on everyday goods | Says fiscal responsibility, reliable energy, and lower taxes are needed to support workers and prosperity |
| Health care | Supports repealing federal health-care mandates, expanding Health Savings Accounts, state-led solutions, and price transparency | Wants to reverse cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, put patient care first at hospitals, and cap annual out-of-pocket prescription-drug costs | Supports free, high-quality universal health care, including gender-affirming treatment and mental-health services; opposes cuts to Medicare and Medicaid | Not found |
| Housing | Says housing, food, insurance, health care, and energy costs are squeezing household budgets; supports reducing federal deficits, expanding competition, and removing barriers to work and enterprise | Says lowering housing costs is part of his affordability focus | Supports a major expansion of publicly owned, permanently affordable housing, universal rent control, and ending the criminalization of homelessness | Not found |
| Immigration | Says immigration law should be enforced while officers identify themselves, obtain warrants absent genuine emergencies, preserve body-camera evidence, respect counsel and hearings, protect families, and face independent review | Supports federal resources to fight crime and deport violent criminals; says immigration enforcement should not target people because of their appearance | Supports abolishing ICE, ending immigrant detention and deportations, and legalizing undocumented immigrants | Supports securing the border and deporting people he describes as "criminal illegal aliens" |
| Abortion | Not found | Says he wants to "defend reproductive rights" | Supports free, safe, legal, and accessible abortion | Describes himself as strongly pro-life and supports abortion restrictions |
| Climate and energy | Supports affordable and reliable energy, nuclear and next-generation energy, and innovation over mandates | Wants data centers to pay the full cost of their electricity use and utility companies to modernize the grid | Supports a Green New Deal, a transition to 100% renewable energy, and a moratorium on new data centers | Says the country needs reliable, affordable energy and domestic energy production |
| Foreign policy | Not found | Says he will work to end the war in Iran and the tariffs he says are driving up costs | Supports diplomacy, international cooperation, respect for human rights, and reducing the U.S. military budget | Not found |
| Elections | Supports modernizing election systems responsibly, auditable and secure voting processes, preserving access, and cybersecurity best practices | Not found | Supports expanding voting rights, ending gerrymandering and voter suppression, and advancing proportional representation and ranked-choice voting | Says he will fight for election integrity and voter registration and "protect the ballot" |

Where a cell reads "Not found," no stated position was found in the sources reviewed. Voters can check each candidate's campaign website directly for positions not captured here: shannonbray.us, roycooper.com, dublinforcongress.com, and michaelwhatley.com.

In their own words

Shannon Bray, in The News & Observer Senate questionnaire, Oct. 10, 2026:

"Secure borders and due process are compatible."

Roy Cooper, in The News & Observer Senate questionnaire, Oct. 10, 2026:

"I'll be focused on issues that matter — supporting more good paying jobs, making health care more affordable and lowering costs for people."

Michael Dublin, in the WLOS Senate candidate questionnaire on Helene recovery, Oct. 12, 2026:

"I would push to cut the red tape and get dollars directly to families."

Michael Whatley, on the Michael Whatley for Senate issues page (date not provided):

"By practicing fiscal responsibility and unleashing American energy, we can empower American workers."

Questionnaires and debates

Shannon Bray responded to The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer questionnaire. Bray did not respond to Vote411 or the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Roy Cooper responded to The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer questionnaire. Cooper did not respond to Vote411 or the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Michael Dublin responded to The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer questionnaire and the WLOS questionnaire. Dublin did not respond to Vote411 or the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Michael Whatley did not respond to The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer questionnaire, Vote411, the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, or the WLOS questionnaire.

Debates:

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina held a debate on Oct. 15, 2026. Shannon Bray and Michael Dublin took part. Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley were invited; neither campaign responded.

Three additional debates were not held:

  • Spectrum News (date not provided): Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley were invited; invitations were not accepted as of Sept. 10, 2026.
  • N.C. Association of Broadcasters (date not provided): Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley were invited; invitations were not accepted as of Sept. 10, 2026.
  • WUNC News and UNC School of Journalism and Media (date not provided): Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley were invited; invitations were not accepted as of Sept. 10, 2026.

Endorsements

| Candidate | Endorser | Type | Source |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------- |
| Roy Cooper | Barack Obama | Executive branch / federal official | newsobserver.com |
| Roy Cooper | Kamala Harris | Executive branch / federal official | abc11.com |
| Roy Cooper | Angela Alsobrooks | U.S. senator | cnsmaryland.org |
| Roy Cooper | North Carolina AFL-CIO | Labor union | aflcionc.org |
| Roy Cooper | National Education Association | Labor union | ncae.org |
| Roy Cooper | North Carolina Association of Educators | Labor union | ncae.org |
| Roy Cooper | Human Rights Campaign PAC | Organization | hrc.org |
| Roy Cooper | Reproductive Freedom for All | Organization | axios.com |
| Michael Whatley | Donald Trump | Executive branch / federal official | apnews.com |
| Michael Whatley | JD Vance | Executive branch / federal official | newsobserver.com |
| Michael Whatley | Ted Budd | U.S. senator | newsobserver.com |
| Michael Whatley | National Border Patrol Council | Labor union | nsjonline.com |
| Michael Whatley | National Right to Life Committee | Organization | nrlc.org |
| Michael Whatley | U.S. Chamber of Commerce | Organization | uschamber.com |
| Michael Whatley | Republican National Committee | Organization | elonnewsnetwork.com |
| Michael Whatley | Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America | Organization | sbaprolife.org |

Who is funding them

These figures come from FEC filings for Roy Cooper, Shannon Bray, Michael Dublin, and Michael Whatley for the 2026 cycle through Oct. 14.

| Metric | Shannon Bray (L) | Roy Cooper (D) | Michael Dublin (G) | Michael Whatley (R) |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- | --------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Total raised | Not reported | $49.6 million | No FEC report on file | $13.7 million |
| Small donors (under $200) | Not reported | 51% | No FEC report on file | 44% |
| Larger donors (over $200) | Not reported | 44% | No FEC report on file | 45% |
| PACs and other committees | Not reported | 4% | No FEC report on file | 11% |
| Party committees | Not reported | 0% | No FEC report on file | 1% |
| Self-funding | Not reported | $0 (0%) | No FEC report on file | $0 (0%) |
| Transfers from joint fundraising | Not reported | $19.8 million | No FEC report on file | $4.6 million |
| Cash on hand | Not reported | $9.1 million | No FEC report on file | $902,000 |
| Larger-donor dollars from NC | Not reported | $4.3 million (51%) | No FEC report on file | $1.5 million (42%) |
| Outside spending for / against | $0 / $0 | $1.4 million for / $2.4 million against | No FEC report on file | $5.0 million for / $8.9 million against |

Top PACs:

Roy Cooper's top PAC donors were the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) ($62,000); JSTREETPAC ($38,000); Swing Left ($11,000); Advancing Democracy and Mobilization PAC ($10,000); and Air Line Pilots Association PAC ($10,000).

Michael Whatley's top PAC donors were the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) ($62,000); Republican Jewish Coalition Political Action Committee (RJC-PAC) ($30,000); 1890 PAC ($10,000); American Excellence PAC ($10,000); and Arkansas for Leadership Political Action Committee (ARKPAC) ($10,000).

Largest outside spenders:

WINSENATE spent $8.8 million opposing candidates in this race. Americans for Prosperity Action, Inc. (AFP Action) dba CVA Action and dba Libre Action spent $4.4 million in support and $1.8 million in opposition. SLF PAC spent $658,000 in support and $560,000 in opposition.

Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings. Smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total, so small donors' names are not public.

Challengers' records

Shannon Bray has not held public office.

Roy Cooper served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1987 to 1991, the North Carolina State Senate from 1991 to 2001, as North Carolina attorney general from 2001 to 2017, and as North Carolina governor from 2017 to 2025.

Michael Dublin has not held public office.

Michael Whatley served as North Carolina Republican Party chair from 2019 to 2024 and as Republican National Committee chair from 2024 to 2026. These were party positions, not elected or appointed public offices.

Scorecards readers can check

Interest groups that rate members of Congress publish scorecards based on selected votes. Groups that checked Brad Knott's record include Heritage Action for America (119th Congress), the American Conservative Union / CPAC (2025), the National Taxpayers Union (119th Congress first session), the AFL-CIO (2025), and the League of Conservation Voters (2025).

Different groups select different sets of votes to score, so their ratings measure different things. No other candidate in these races has served in Congress, so no congressional scorecard ratings apply to them.

Also on your ballot

Three statewide constitutional amendments appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for all North Carolina voters. No local measures for specific localities within the 13th District could be confirmed from the sources reviewed; voters can check their county's sample ballot at their county board of elections website.

| Designation | Topic | What a Yes vote does | What a No vote does |
| ----------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Constitutional Amendment SB 921 | Voter photo ID for all voters | Amends the state constitution to require photo identification for voters in all instances, including absentee mail voters | Leaves the constitution unchanged by this amendment |
| Constitutional Amendment (income tax cap) | Lower income tax cap | Lowers the constitutional maximum state income-tax rate from 7% to 3.5%, beginning Jan. 1, 2027 | Leaves the current constitutional maximum unchanged by this amendment |
| Constitutional Amendment (property tax) | Property tax levy limit | Requires the General Assembly to set limits on property-tax increases by local governments | Leaves the constitution unchanged by this amendment and does not impose this new requirement on the General Assembly |

Constitutional Amendment SB 921 — Require Photo ID for All Voters

The official ballot question reads: "Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting." A Yes vote would place a photo-ID requirement for all voting instances in the state constitution, extending the existing in-person requirement to absentee mail voters. A No vote leaves the constitution unchanged by this amendment. Session Law 2024-58 placed the amendment on the 2026 ballot; final legislative vote totals were not available.

Rep. Mike Schietzelt said the requirement increases election security while balancing security with eligible voters' access. Rep. Pricey Harrison said the added hurdle is unnecessary for absentee voting and that placing it in the constitution could make it difficult to undo as circumstances change.

Constitutional Amendment — Lower Taxes for All NC

The official ballot question reads: "Constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%)." A Yes vote would constitutionally cap the state income-tax rate at 3.5%, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. A No vote leaves the current constitutional maximum of 7% unchanged by this amendment. An NC State Poole College analysis says the amendment would not change the tax rates scheduled under existing law, but would restrict future rate increases above the cap. Session Law 2026-4 placed the amendment on the ballot; the bill passed 30–18 in the Senate and 73–46 in the House. Party-by-party tallies were not available.

Sen. Michael Lee said the amendment was a way to fulfill a commitment to reduce North Carolinians' tax burden. Rep. Marcia Morey said the cap could constrain government services and make it harder for the state to perform essential functions.

Constitutional Amendment — Property Tax Levy Limit

The official ballot question reads: "Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments." A Yes vote would direct the General Assembly to enact a law limiting growth in local property-tax levies; the amendment does not itself specify a limit or formula, leaving the details to future legislation. A No vote leaves the constitution unchanged by this amendment and does not impose this requirement on the General Assembly. Session Law 2026-5 placed the amendment on the ballot; the bill passed 73–46 in the House and 31–15 in the Senate. Party-by-party tallies were not available.

Rep. Brian Echevarria said residents need stability and affordability and deserve a chance to reform the property-tax system. Rep. Maria Cervania said a single statewide limit could be unsuitable for counties with different circumstances and could constrain local governments' ability to fund services.

Before you go

  • Early voting ran Oct. 15–Oct. 31, 2026, and ended at 3 p.m. Oct. 31. North Carolina early voting 2026 site locations and schedules are available through the N.C. State Board of Elections Early Voting Site Search.
  • Election Day hours: Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters in line at 7:30 p.m. may vote. Find your polling place at the Election Day Polling Place Search.
  • Photo ID: In-person voters must show an acceptable photo ID. Voters who cannot provide one may vote a provisional ballot and complete a Photo ID Exception Form. Voters who have ID but did not bring it may retrieve it and return, or submit acceptable ID to the county elections office by noon on the fifth business day after Election Day. See NCSBE Voter ID for the full list of accepted IDs.
  • Mail ballots: The county board of elections must receive a civilian absentee ballot by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Return by mail or commercial courier, or in person to the county board or an open early-voting site in your county during early voting; not to an Election Day polling place. See NCSBE FAQ: Voting By Mail.
  • Registration: The registration deadline was Oct. 9, 2026. Same-day registration was available during early voting (Oct. 15–Oct. 31) but is unavailable on Election Day for most voters. Check your registration at the NCSBE Upcoming Election page.
  • Questions: Call the N.C. State Board of Elections at (919) 814-0700, or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) via 866ourvote.org.

What you may bring into the voting booth was not confirmed in the official state elections office materials reviewed; check ncsbe.gov for the current guidance.

Sources

Official records

Campaign finance

Candidate statements and questionnaires

News and fact-checks

Advocacy groups

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