Rutherford County Voters Head to the Polls as 2026 Primary Enters Final Stretch

Early voting continues through Feb. 28 for the March 3 primary. 

With just over a week until Primary Election Day, Rutherford County voters are continuing to cast ballots in North Carolina’s 2026 primary election. Statewide election data shows 323,992 people have voted early in person and by mail, with 2,718 in Rutherford County.

Early in-person voting began Feb. 12 and runs through Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 3.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, registered voters may cast an early ballot at any designated early voting site within their county of registration. On Election Day, voters must report to their assigned precinct polling place based on their residential address. Absentee ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on March 3.

The county is part of North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, which also includes Burke, Cleveland and Gaston counties, along with portions of Mecklenburg and Polk counties. A section of Charlotte also falls within the district.

NC-14 Congressional Primary on Rutherford Ballots

The race for North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District will determine which Democratic and Republican candidates advance to the November 2026 general election.

Three Democrats and two Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination.

On the Democratic side, Brent Caldwell, Ahmid Kargbo and LaKesha Womack are competing for the nomination.

On the Republican side, incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Moore faces challenger Kate Barr in the primary. Barr has not received party resources since she was recently a Democrat, but switched parties to run in the primary against Moore, according to statements and public records.

Candidates have identified a range of issues in the district, including affordability, health care access, disaster recovery, redistricting reform and economic opportunity for working families.

Moore has pointed to affordability and Hurricane Helene recovery efforts as top priorities, saying he is focused on lowering costs and ensuring federal disaster aid reaches Western North Carolina efficiently and transparently.

Barr has emphasized accountability in Washington and policies aimed at increasing take-home pay, including changes to federal income tax thresholds and redistricting laws.

Among Democrats, Caldwell has focused on lowering living costs and pursuing structural political reforms. Kargbo has emphasized health care expansion and broader federal policy changes. Womack has centered her campaign on affordability, small-business growth and workforce development.

WCAB News will publish a more detailed candidate survey in the coming days, providing voters with expanded responses from each candidate who responds to our detailed candidate survey on key issues facing Rutherford County and the 14th District.

Key Dates for Rutherford County Voters

Important dates in the 2026 primary election include:

• Feb. 12: Early in-person voting began

• Feb. 28 (3 p.m.): Early voting ends

• March 3: Primary Election Day; absentee ballots due by 7:30 p.m.

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In the 2022 election cycle, approximately 39% of North Carolina voters cast their ballots during the early voting period, while about 2% voted by mail, according to state election data. State data shows nearly 80,000 more people have voted early compared to this time in 2022.

Local and Statewide Races Also on the Ballot

While Rutherford County voters are focused on multiple races, including the 14th Congressional District, the 2026 primary also includes a U.S. Senate race. Incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis announced he will not seek reelection, leaving the seat open for the first time since 2014. 

The winners of the March 3 primary will advance to the general election scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

WCAB News will continue to provide updates on voting procedures, turnout, and local races as the primary election approaches. For sample ballots, where to vote, and hours of polling locations, visit ncsbe.gov.