2026 Election Calendar: Key Dates from April to November

The period between now — early April 2026 — and November 3 is the active campaign season. The practical timeline works in several distinct phases. The filing and primary phase runs through late summer, with the last significant primaries in New Hampshire and Delaware in September. During this period, campaign infrastructure is being assembled, fundraising quarters are building, and the candidate field in competitive races is being set.

The general election campaign phase begins after Labor Day (September 7, 2026) — traditionally the official start of fall campaign season. Television advertising, debate scheduling, and ground game deployment ramp up through October. Early voting begins in many states in October: North Carolina and Georgia open in-person early voting approximately 17 days before Election Day, Nevada and Arizona offer early voting for roughly two weeks, and Pennsylvania expanded no-excuse mail voting applies for all eligible voters.

States with runoff requirements add complexity to the calendar. Georgia requires a primary runoff if no candidate exceeds 50% of the vote, and the runoff is typically held four to six weeks after the initial primary. The Senate majority math between Ossoff and a Republican challenger in Georgia will be finalized on May 19, but if no Republican reaches 50%, a June runoff determines the nominee — potentially just as general election season begins.

North Carolina's runoff threshold is 30% — a lower bar that makes runoffs less common but still possible in crowded primaries. The gubernatorial open seat in NC features multiple potential candidates, and a crowded field could trigger a runoff that extends the primary season into late June. These calendar dynamics affect candidate cash reserves, opponent research preparation time, and the window available for general election pivots.