Columbus County voters will choose ballots based on party registration or unaffiliated status
Columbus County voters will participate in North Carolina’s 2026 primary under the state’s semi‑open primary system, which requires party‑affiliated voters to use their own party’s ballot while giving unaffiliated voters the option to choose a party when they arrive to vote.
Registered Democrats will receive a Democratic ballot, and registered Republicans will receive a Republican ballot. Libertarian and Green Party voters will not have a primary ballot this year, as those parties are not holding primaries in 2026.
Unaffiliated voters — a significant portion of Columbus County’s electorate — may choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot at the polling place. Election officials will ask for their preference during check‑in.
Seventeen year olds may vote in the primary if they will turn 18 by November 3, 2026, the date of the general election. State law allows these voters to register and participate in the primary so they can help select the candidates who will appear on their first general‑election ballot.
Columbus County voters can verify their registration, party affiliation, polling place, and sample ballot through the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ online lookup tool. The state provides multiple voting options, including in‑person early voting, same‑day registration during early voting, and absentee‑by‑mail voting. A photo ID is required for all voting methods.
The Columbus County Board of Elections will publish early‑voting locations, hours, and sample ballots as the election nears. Primary elections typically draw lower turnout than general elections, giving individual votes added influence over which candidates advance to November.
The 2026 primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 3.
BC News Staff Writer
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