The North Carolina Board of Elections has put together a website to help voters who were impacted by Hurricane Helene find the information they need. Learn more here.
North Carolina voter registration guide
- 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.
To register in North Carolina you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of North Carolina and the precinct in which you live for at least 30 days prior to Election Day
- be 18 years old by the General Election (you may pre-register if you are 16 years old and if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
- if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed parole and probation
- not be registered or vote in any other county or state.
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.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- 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.
- 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”.
- 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
- 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.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- 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.
Voting rights are restored after parole or probation, as long as you pay all relevant fees and fines.
- 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.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for North Carolina elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
State Board of Elections P.O. Box 27255 Raleigh, NC 27611‐7255
External resources
References
- North Carolina early voting information
- North Carolina absentee ballot information
- North Carolina voter registration information
- North Carolina voter ID information
- North Carolina student voter information
- North Carolina voting rights restoration for voters with felony convictions
- North Carolina election code