Currently, under GS 163-166.40, early voting for all elections begins no earlier than the third Thursday before an election in which a voter seeks to vote and not later than 3:00 P.M. on the last Saturday before that election, with early voting on that last Saturday to run from 8 am to 3 pm.

Shortens early voting periods for a primary election, a second primary, or a runoff election conducted by county boards of elections under GS 163-166.40 to now begin not earlier than the second Monday before a primary election, a second primary, or a runoff election in which a voter seeks to vote and not later than 3:00 pm on the last Saturday before that primary or runoff. Specifies that early voting on that last Saturday runs from 8 am to 3 pm.  Makes conforming changes.

Allows the Governor to fix the early voting period for special elections and for special first primaries to fill vacancies in the US House of Representatives under GS 163-13 so long as the period does not exceed six days. Limits the early voting periods to six consecutive days under GS 163-287 for special municipal elections that are held at a different time than general State or county elections, primary elections, municipal general elections if the election is within the jurisdiction of the municipality only, or at the same time as any other election requiring all precincts in the county to be open.

No longer refers to mail in absentee voting, just absentee voting, in municipal elections under GS 163-302. Limits early voting in such elections to six days. 

Makes technical changes.

Applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2026.