North Carolina Senate race 2026: Whatley vs. Cooper
General election, November 3, 2026 · U.S. Senate in North Carolina. Open — Sen. Thom Tillis (R) retired
Michael Whatley
Former RNC and North Carolina GOP chairman, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2026 against former Governor Roy Cooper: the record behind the résumé.
Read the documented profile of Michael WhatleyRoy Cooper
American politician and lawyer; attorney general of North Carolina (2001–2017) and governor of North Carolina (2017–2025); 2026 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from North Carolina
The general-election field as the board records it: Michael Whatley (R) vs. Roy Cooper (D)
The race at a glance
Board data as of . Ratings are the raters' own current calls; polls are the newest public ones with their field dates; money is what the committees reported. Nothing here is a forecast.
- Seat
- Open — Sen. Thom Tillis (R) retired
- Ratings
- Cook Lean D (moved from Toss Up on ); Sabato Leans Democratic (moved from Toss-up on ); Inside Elections Tilt Democratic (as read )
- Newest public polling
- Newest public poll: Cooper +5.9 (Trafalgar Group, ); 28 general-election polls tracked
- Reported money
- FEC: Whatley cash on hand $3,461,698 (as read )
- Notable
- Measured on the Ledger's Senate battleground board, .
Key dates in North Carolina
Read from the North Carolina State Board of Elections. The full guide, with the official tools, is on the North Carolina page.
- Voter registration deadlineOctober 9, 2026, 5 p.m. The State Board of Elections sets the regular deadline at 25 days before Election Day. A person who misses it may still be able to register and vote in person during the early voting period, October 15 to October 31, 2026. The deadline is different for military and overseas citizen voters. ncsbe.gov
- Early voting beginsOctober 15, 2026 (Thursday). In-person early voting begins, and same-day registration is available at early voting sites. ncsbe.gov
- Deadline to request an absentee (mail) ballotOctober 20, 2026, 5 p.m. The State Board of Elections describes the deadline as two weeks before Election Day; it is different for military and overseas citizen voters. ncsbe.gov
- Deadline to return an absentee ballotNovember 3, 2026 (Election Day), 7:30 p.m. The ballot must be received by the county board of elections by that time. The deadline is different for military and overseas citizen voters. ncsbe.gov
- Election DayNovember 3, 2026 (Tuesday). ncsbe.gov
- Poll hoursPolling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2026. Any voter in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote. ncsbe.gov
Voting in North Carolina: dates, rules and official tools
Questions and answers
Who is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2026?
Michael Whatley (R) vs. Roy Cooper (D) (as of Sep 15, 2026).
When is the election?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voter registration deadline: October 9, 2026, 5 p.m. The State Board of Elections sets the regular deadline at 25 days before Election Day. A person who misses it may still be able to register and vote in person during the early voting period, October 15 to October 31, 2026. The deadline is different for military and overseas citizen voters.
How do the raters see this race?
Cook Lean D (moved from Toss Up on Apr 13, 2026); Sabato Leans Democratic (moved from Toss-up on Jun 11, 2026); Inside Elections Tilt Democratic (as read Sep 15, 2026) (as of Sep 15, 2026).
What do the polls show?
Newest public poll: Cooper +5.9 (Trafalgar Group, Sep 10, 2026); 28 general-election polls tracked (as of Sep 15, 2026).
How much money has been reported?
FEC: Whatley cash on hand $3,461,698 (as read Sep 15, 2026) (as of Sep 15, 2026).