Voting in North Carolina

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Election Dates

11/07/2023
General Election Date
10/13/2023
Voter Registration Deadline (online)
11/04/2023
Voter Registration Deadline (in-person)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

10/31/2023
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
11/07/2023
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

Early Voting Dates

10/19/2023
Early Voting Begins
11/04/2023
Early Voting Ends

Polling place hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in North Carolina

Learn about all the options to vote in North Carolina to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

North Carolina Board of Elections Phone Number: (919) 814-0700

North Carolina Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in North Carolina

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in North Carolina.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

10/31/2023
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
11/07/2023
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

How Vote By Mail Works in North Carolina

Voting by mail is a two step process in North Carolina.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received is October 31st at 5 p.m.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Sign your oath in the presence of an adult witness, they must sign it too.
  • Return in person to your county board of elections by November 7th at 5 p.m. or to an early voting site from  October 19th to November 4th. 
  • Or stamp and mail your ballot - ballots must be postmarked by November 7th and received by November 7th to be counted. To make your postmark date, put the ballot into your home mailbox for collection at least one day prior to ensure it is picked up and processed. You can also drop the ballot off at the post office before the last posted collection time on October 10th. We recommend returning ASAP.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Witness or Notary Requirement

The absentee ballot return envelope must be signed by 1 notary or 2 witnesses. 

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

You must sign the outside of the security envelope! 

Make sure to follow the signature and witness instructions. Without the proper signatures, your ballot will be tossed and will not count.

ID Requirements to Vote By Mail

First time voters must submit ID when voting by mail.

ID is required with completed mail-in ballot.

If a voter is requesting to vote by mail they must submit North Carolina driver’s license or state ID number, or last four digits of their social security number. ID does not need to be sent when returning a ballot in the mail, but the signature on the ballot will be checked against the signature on the voter registration form. Absentee ballots will not be counted unless the affidavit is notarized or has the signatures of 2 non-prohibited witnesses.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, you must add a stamp when mailing in your ballot.

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or early voting locations.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

A near relative or legal guardian may mail or hand-deliver the Return Envelope.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

You may still vote in person as long as you haven't returned your absentee ballot. Your absentee ballot will be "spoiled" after voting in person. You may simply discard the absentee ballot. There is no need to bring it with to a polling place.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

North Carolina does not offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot. Your ballot will not count if it is late, or you do not follow directions.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Voters in North Carolina do not need to show ID at the polls to vote, except for some first-time voters who did not provide required ID information on their voter registration form.

In December 2019 the court blocked North Carolina’s voter ID law for the primary election cycle. Stay tuned for updates on additional rulings and voter ID requirements in North Carolina. At this time registered voters in North Carolina do not need to show ID at the polls or by-mail to vote except for first-time voters who did not provide required ID information on their voter registration form.

Accepted forms of ID include:

  • Photo ID or
  • Utility bill, bank statement, pay check or government document/check with voter’s name and address

 

 

Voter ID in North Carolina

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at the address on their drivers license or other state issued ID card. If you have moved but have not updated your ID with your new address, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

Early Voting

Early Voting Dates

10/19/2023
Voting Begins
11/04/2023
Voting Ends

You can vote early in North Carolina

You can return your mail-in ballot to your early voting site.

Click here to find early voting sites in your county. You may register to vote at early voting locations.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In North Carolina, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can vote in the North Carolina primaries if you are 17 by the next election.