North Carolina Senate Election 2026: Live Results
The North Carolina Senate Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. Roy Cooper (Democrat) faces Republican Michael Whatley. The seat is currently held by Republicans and is open this year. VoteTide rates the race Lean D. Prediction markets give Roy Cooper a 98% chance of winning. The average of the last 5 polls has Roy Cooper ahead by 9.8 points. The last polls in North Carolina close at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:29:54 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
Candidates
- Roy Cooper (Democrat)
- Michael Whatley (Republican)
Odds
- Kalshi: Democrat 97%, Republican 3%
- Polymarket: Democrat 98%, Republican 2%
Rating: Lean D
Latest polls
| Pollster | Dates | Cooper | Whatley |
|---|---|---|---|
| AtlasIntel | October 28 – November 1, 2026 | 56% | 42% |
| East Carolina University | October 26–29, 2026 | 54% | 45% |
| YouGov | October 26–29, 2026 | 55% | 44% |
| Quantus Insights (R) | October 24–25, 2026 | 51% | 43% |
| RedBox Research (D) | October 20–23, 2026 | 50% | 43% |
| Harper Polling (R) | October 18–20, 2026 | 49% | 39% |
| ActiVote | October 8–20, 2026 | 57% | 43% |
| High Point University/YouGov | October 1–20, 2026 | 54% | 40% |
| SurveyUSA | October 7–11, 2026 | 54% | 40% |
| Trafalgar Group (R) | October 8–10, 2026 | 49% | 41% |
What's at stake
For the country
- This seat is held by Republicans. A Democratic win would be a flip, one of the 4 net gains Democrats need to reach 51 seats and take control.
- A Republican hold keeps it in the column that protects the current 53-seat majority.
- Senate control decides which judges and cabinet nominees are confirmed and whether the President's bills can pass.
For North Carolina
- Senators vote on every federal law, confirm Supreme Court justices, federal judges and cabinet members, and ratify treaties. Terms last six years.
- It is an open seat, so there is no incumbent advantage this year.
Roy Cooper
- Supporters say a Democratic senator would push to lower health-care costs and protect the Affordable Care Act.
- They argue for restoring federal abortion protections and expanding voting access.
- They favour raising taxes on the highest earners and corporations to fund programs.
Michael Whatley
- Supporters say a Republican senator would keep taxes low and protect recent tax cuts.
- They argue for tighter border security and stricter immigration enforcement.
- They favour expanding domestic energy production and cutting federal regulation.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the North Carolina Senate Election 2026?
Roy Cooper (D), Michael Whatley (R).
Who is favored to win the North Carolina senate race?
Prediction markets give Roy Cooper a 98% chance. VoteTide's rating is Lean D.
When do polls close in North Carolina?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in North Carolina close at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these North Carolina results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
North Carolina at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Trump +3.2
- Electoral votes: 16
- U.S. House seats: 14
Other North Carolina races: House