The HCDP Primary PRIMER
- Feb 17
- 6 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Two of the most important races in the country will be shaped in the upcoming NC Primary. Henderson County Democrats & Unaffiliated Voters have the chance to help choose which Democrats have the best chance to beat MAGA-backed Republicans. This is both a serious responsibility and a great privilege.
Help us spread the news that everyone needs to register and VOTE.
Scroll down to read:
WHY voting is especially crucial this year
Primary Calendar
Early In-Person Voting, Election Day Voting & Vote-by-Mail Overviews
Recent Changes in Election Laws
User-Friendly Voter Resources & More
View a sample ballot, read about the candidates who will be on our primary ballot, and get a recap of the NC11 candidates' forum held right here in Henderson County using the buttons below:
WHY VOTE IN THE PRIMARY?
The Senate and NC11 US House candidates on our ballot are in pivotal races garnering national attention. We need to select the candidates who can win & give Democrats the chance to stop MAGA destruction.
Fewer people vote in the primary, so your vote will carry more weight than in the general election.
The GOP has made voting harder, and the primary is a chance to go through a dress rehearsal to figure everything out. Is your registration current? Find out now. Do you know who will be witnesses & how you’ll make a copy of your ID for a mail-in ballot if you choose to vote this way? Is your ID acceptable? Has your college aged children’s polling place been shut down? Do you know how to track your ballot to make sure it is counted? Don’t wait until November. Find. Out. Now. By voting!
Robust turnout in the primary builds momentum and encourages our candidates who are giving it their all.
February 27, 2026 NOTE: Did you receive a letter about your voter registration? This should not affect your ability to vote. Get more information and background here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/faq-letters-voters-about-unvalidated-id-numbers
EARLY IN PERSON VOTING
We strongly encourage anyone who can to participate in Early In Person Voting. This option offers several advantages, including the opportunity to update your registration or even register and vote on the same day. From the NC Board of Elections website:
When you check in to vote at an early voting site, you may update your name or address within the same county if necessary. Individuals who are not registered to vote in a county may register and immediately vote at that same site. This process is called “same-day registration.” Find more information at Register in Person During Early Voting. Although same-day registration is available for voters during early voting, same-day registration is not available for most voters on Election Day.
Henderson County residents may vote early in person beginning Thursday February 12th at the following locations:
· Board of Elections: 75 E. Central Street in Hendersonville, off Spartanburg Highway
· Etowah Library: 101 Brickyard Road in Etowah, just off Highway 64
· Fletcher Town Hall: 300 Cane Creek Road in Fletcher
· Edneyville Community Center: 15 Ida Rogers Road in Edneyville
Voting Hours are shown in the table below from the Henderson County Board of Elections website. Please note that voting hours on the Saturdays of February 14th and 28th end at 3 pm and there is NO VOTING on Saturday February 21st. There is no voting on Sundays for this election. Churches wishing to continue the tradition of Souls to the Polls may think about doing this on Saturday instead!
NOTE: A PHOTO ID is required for in-person voting.
Election Day Voting
The 2026 NC Primary Election Day is March 3rd.
Photo ID is required.
You must vote in your home precinct. Find your precinct here: https://www.myhcdp.com/precinctsanddistricts
Voting hours on Election Day are 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. Curbside voting is available for voters with mobility issues or other health issues. There will be a sign and a bell to ring and a poll worker will come out to assist you.
You may request a provisional ballot if you run into a problem. More information about provisional ballots may be found here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/provisional-voting While provisional ballots are often found to be not eligible, North Carolina has had several key elections where they made the difference so please request one if appropriate!
ABSENTEE VOTING BY MAIL
FEBRUARY 27 UPDATE: Voters with absentee ballots may deliver their ballots to an Early Voting site in Henderson County during Early Voting Hours or, on Election Day, they may deliver it to the Board of Elections by 7:30. Since absentee ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by 7:30 on Election Day, it is probably too late to mail it in. If you have an absentee ballot but have not returned it, you may also change your mind and vote in person and not use the absentee ballot. Curbside voting is available for those with mobility or other health issues.
Voting by mail is a great option, but you must be informed about new requirements and always track your ballot to make sure it arrives and is counted.
Details about how to vote by mail are spelled out at https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail
This website includes several links to important information.
The following are highlights only. Please consult the link above for specific instructions.
Step 1: Request Your Ballot & Return the Request
Registered voters do not need special circumstances to request an absentee vote-by-mail ballot online or via paper form. Use this link to request an absentee ballot: https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home (Note: Allow plenty of time for your absentee ballot to arrive.)
Step 2: Complete Your Ballot
One notary public or two witnesses must be in your presence when you mark your absentee ballot. They are witnessing that you are the person who voted, not who you voted for.
You must place your ballot in the return envelope and seal it.
Sign the envelope and have your two witnesses or a notary public sign the envelope.
Place a copy of an eligible photo ID in the clear sleeve on the back of your ballot envelope. If you are unable to provide a copy of a photo ID, complete and place the Photo ID Exception form (yellow form in your ballot package) into the clear sleeve.
Place the completed and sealed ballot envelope inside the absentee return.
Step 3: Return Your Absentee Ballot:
If mailing, return postage is $1.77-- 3 forever stamps (73 cents apiece) will suffice.
Your ballot must be received by your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, March 3rd. Note: there is no longer a grace period for receiving your ballot so make sure you allow extra time for your ballot to arrive if you are mailing it.
During Early Voting, you can return your ballot in person to an early voting site in Henderson County (see below) or you may return it in person to the Board of Elections (75 E. Central Street in Hendersonville).
On Election Day, you may deliver your ballot in person to the Board of Elections by 7:30 pm, but you may not return your absentee ballot to a polling place on Election Day.
NOTE: Due to federal cuts, delays in USPS mail delivery have become widespread. Your ballot must be returned by 7:30 pm on March 3. If using the mail, return it as soon as possible.
Track your ballot’s progress at https://northcarolina.ballottrax.net/voter/
RECENT CHANGES IN VOTING LAWS
You must show a photo ID to vote.
Several polling places on college campuses have been closed—tell the college students in your life to make a voting plan now.
Absentee ballots must now be returned (received) by 7:30 pm on Election Day, March 3rd.
Absentee ballots must now have signatures from two witnesses or a notary.
Absentee ballots must now include a copy of a photo ID or an exception form.
User Friendly Voting Resources
The folks at HENDERSON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS are professionals who take their job seriously and are eager to help answer questions and provide information.
Their physical address is 75 E. Central St in Hendersonville. This is an early voting site and you may also return mail-in ballots here by 7:30 pm on March 3rd.
Mailing address: PO BOX 2090HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28793
828-697-4970
The NC Board of Elections has a wealth of information for voters in all sorts of situations, including those serving in the military and those in care facilities. https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting
The non-partisan League of Women Voters sponsors a helpful website: https://www.vote411.org/
Quick Review: What is a Primary and Who Can Vote in the NC Democratic Primary in Henderson County?
A Primary is the election in which each party chooses the candidates they want to run in the November election. It’s the political version of “Choose Your Player” or “Pick Your Fighter”!
Registered Democrats and Unaffiliated Voters can vote in the Democratic Primary. Registered Democrats will automatically be given the Democratic ballot. Unaffiliated Voters will be given a choice of EITHER the Democratic or Republican ballot (not both, of course). Unaffiliated Voters who want to have a say in selecting the strongest Democrat simply need to answer “Democratic” when they are asked which ballot they want. Please share this news with your all your NC friends and family who care about protecting our American values. Note: for unaffiliated voters, choosing a partisan ballot in the primary has no impact on how they vote in the general election in the fall.
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