2026 Primary Elections

What is a Primary Election?

In North Carolina, the statewide primary is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. During this election, voters can choose which candidates they prefer to be on the general ballot in November. The purpose of a primary election is to narrow the field of candidates for the General Election. 

Who Can Vote in the Primary in Hoke County?

Registered voters all over Hoke County will be eligible to vote in the primary election. However, voters affiliated with any political party will be given a ballot of candidates for their party.  Unaffiliated voters may choose the ballot of candidates for any party primary. 

Candidate Filing in Hoke County

Candidate Filing for County Commissioner, Hoke County Sheriff and Clerk of Superior Court will be open from December 1 at noon - December 19 at noon. Candidate filing for Soil and Water will begin June 13 at noon and ends July 1 at noon. Candidate filing for the Hoke County Board of Education will begin July 1 at noon and will end July 15 at noon.

Filing Fees:
Hoke County Commissioner:  $232
Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court:  $1,117.26
Hoke County Sheriff:  $1,263.98
State Senate:  $139.51
State House of Representative: $139.51   

Voter Registration

The North Carolina Voter Registration Deadline is Friday, February 6, 2026. Any voter registration applications, must be received by the County Board of Elections Office no later than close of business day. View the Voter Registration Tab for details on how to register to vote. 

Voter ID

Current Status: PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina. Most voters will simply show their driver's license. But there are many other acceptable photo IDs. If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they can get one for free from their County Board of Elections office. Voters can also get a free ID card from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If a voter cannot show photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form and voting a provisional ballot. Voters who vote by mail must include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot, or they may complete an ID Exception Form. The voter places the photocopy or the Exception form in a pocket on the outside of the ballot container envelope , which is then placed in an outer return envelope to protect the privacy of the voter. 

Early Voting in Hoke County

Hoke County has two early voting locations. The One-Stop Early Voting period is  February 12, 2026 - February 28, 2026.  Both locations will be open from 8 am-7:30 pm on weekdays and 8am-3pm on Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

Hoke County Board of Elections

227 North Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376

Rockfish Community Center

2749 Lindsey Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Sample Ballots

Democratic Ballot
Republican Ballot

Guides and Notices

Primary Candidates Detail List
Early Voting Buffer Zone Notice
Election Day Buffer Zone Notice