How to vote in North Carolina

• Register to vote (online): 25 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 25 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (in person): 3 days before Election Day

• If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your North Carolina registration using the North Carolina voter registration lookup site.
• If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.

• You can register online if you have a North Carolina driver’s license or non-driver ID card.

• Visit the North Carolina online voter registration site.
• Fill out all the required fields.
• You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
• You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
• The deadline to register to vote online is 25 days before Election Day.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Enter North Carolina driver’s license number. If you don't have a driver’s license, enter the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have either number, write "NONE" in the box.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a party to vote in that party’s primary unless that party allows unaffiliated voters to vote in its primary. If you indicate a political party that is not a qualified party, or indicate no party, you will be listed as “Unaffiliated”.
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You are required to fill in this box. However, your application will not be rejected if you fail to do so. Put the choice that best describes you from the list below: - American Indian or Alaskan Native - Asian or Pacific Islander - Black, not of Hispanic Origin - Hispanic - Multi-racial - White, not of Hispanic Origin - Other
5. Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. Your voter registration form must be postmarked by 25 days before Election Day.

• Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.

• You may register and vote in person during the early voting period. You must attest to your eligibility by completing the North Carolina voter registration application (available in English or Spanish). You must bring proof of residence and a photo ID.

  The photo ID must be current, unless it expired within one year OR you are 65 or older. If you are 65 or older, you may use an expired ID if it was unexpired on your 65th birthday.

  Acceptable photo IDs include:

  • North Carolina driver’s license or non-operator ID issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NC DMV)
  • Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)
  • US passport or passport card
  • College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
  • Military ID
  • Tribal ID
  • North Carolina government employee ID card with a photo approved by the State Board of Elections

• Summary: North Carolina has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period.
• Where to go:

  Go to your early voting site. Click here to find your early voting site.

• What to bring:

  You may register and vote in person during the early voting period. You must attest to your eligibility by completing the North Carolina voter registration application (available in English or Spanish). You must bring proof of residence and a photo ID.

  The photo ID must be current, unless it expired within one year OR you are 65 or older. If you are 65 or older, you may use an expired ID if it was unexpired on your 65th birthday.

  Acceptable photo IDs include:

  • North Carolina driver’s license or non-operator ID issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NC DMV)
  • Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)
  • US passport or passport card
  • College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
  • Military ID
  • Tribal ID
  • North Carolina government employee ID card with a photo approved by the State Board of Elections
• Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.

• You cannot vote while incarcerated.
• You cannot vote while on parole.
• You cannot vote while on probation.
• You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
• Financial obligations:
  • parole fees
  • probation fees
  • court fees
  • restitution fees
• Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online): 7 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (by mail): Received by 7 days before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): 7 days before Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day

1. Visit the North Carolina absentee ballot website.
2. Fill out all of the required information.
3. Hit save or submit when you are done.
4. The deadline to apply online is 7 days before Election Day.

1. Download the North Carolina absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. Your application must be received by 7 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 7 days before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:

  You must include one of the following with your application:

  • North Carolina driver’s license OR non-driver ID card number
  • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:

  You must sign your ballot in the presence of a notary public or two witnesses age 18 or older. Your notary public or two witnesses should observe that you sign the ballot, not how you vote. You must also include a copy of an eligible photo ID. If you are unable to provide a copy of a photo ID, complete the Photo ID Exception form.

  A candidate in the election may not serve as witness unless the candidate is the voter's spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild.

Track your ballot here: North Carolina absentee ballot tracker

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

Emergency Ballot Rules

Dates & Deadlines

• Emergency ballot request ends 5PM 1 day before Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is 5PM Election Day

Contact your local election office