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North Carolina | Voting Guide
Voting Guide
North
Carolina
Registration Deadlines and Election Dates
Voter Registration Deadline: Registration applications must be received or postmarked no later than 25 days before Election Day. If submitting your application in person or by fax, it generally must be received by 5:00pm on the 25th day before Election Day; however, jurisdictions may accept applications after 5:00pm on that day if they choose, so please contact your local officials for more information.
Eligible voters can also register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time at their early voting location. More information on same-day registration is available at: https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/register-person-during-early-voting
2024 Election Information
Primary Election: March 5
Registration Deadline: February 9
Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: February 27 at 5:00pm
General Election: November 5
Registration Deadline: October 11
Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: October 29 at 5:00pm
Official Election Websites
More election information at:
Online voter registration available at:
ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx
Printable PDF voter registration mail-in form available at:
ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/complete-your-registration-mail
Register at School or Home
Students have a decision about where to register to vote.
You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family's home or the place where you attend school. You should update your registration anytime this home address changes.
You may only be registered and vote in one location.
What Type of ID Do I Need to Register?
Online Registration: If you are registering to vote online, you must provide a North Carolina issued driver’s license or ID number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it. Please view the link above for North Carolina's online voter registration portal.
Paper Voter Registration Application: North Carolina’s paper voter registration form asks for your North Carolina driver’s license or state ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it.
Same Day Registration: If you register to vote using same day registration during the early voting period, you must provide both proof of residency and a photo ID. The following are examples of each type of proof required:
Proof of Residency
A government-issued photo ID with your current name and address, such as a North Carolina driver’s license;
A current utility bill, paycheck, or bank statement showing your name and address; or
A current college/university document with the student’s name and on-campus housing address.
Photo Proof of Identity
North Carolina driver’s license or state ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles
North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by the county board of elections
College or university student ID that has been approved by the State Board of Elections (please see this list for approved IDs)
U.S. Passport
U.S. military ID
More information about registering to vote during the early voting period is available at
ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/register-person-during-early-voting
What Type of ID Do I Need to Vote?
All voters will be asked for ID when voting in person. Most photo IDs must be unexpired or expired for no more than one year. If you vote by mail, you must include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID in the designated photo ID envelope you receive with your ballot. Acceptable photo IDs include:
North Carolina driver’s license or State ID issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles
North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections
College or university student ID that has been approved by the State Board of Elections. For a list of approved IDs, please visit: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id/student-and-public-employee-ids-approved-voting
U.S. Passport
U.S. military ID
Voters who do not have one of these forms of photo ID may fill out an ID Exception Form and cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be accepted for counting if the ID Exception form is accepted.
More information about North Carolina’s voter ID law is available at: ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id
Where Do I Vote?
Make a plan. Look up your voting site and hours at:
How Can I Vote?
By Mail: All registered voters may request and vote by absentee ballot. You can request your absentee ballot application online or by returning the absentee ballot request form to your county board of elections office. Absentee ballot requests must be received by your county board of elections by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the day of the election.
Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: Absentee ballot requests must be received by your county board of elections by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the day of the election.
Completed Mail-in Ballot Return Deadline: Once you have completed your absentee ballot, it must be returned in person at a one-stop early voting site, received in person by your county Board of Elections office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, or postmarked on or before Election Day and received by 7:30pm on Election Day.
Blind or visually impaired voters may receive their absentee ballots electronically. More information is available at: ncsbe.gov/voting/help-voters-disabilities/accessible-absentee-voting
You can find more information about voting by mail and the request forms at: ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail.
Early In-person: Voters may vote early at one-stop early voting site in their county.
Contact your county board of elections for one-stop voting locations and hours: vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite/
Election Day: Voting sites will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by the closing time, then you have the right to vote.
Curbside voting is available to all one-stop early voting sites and Election Day polling locations for voters who are unable to enter the voting place. For more information on eligibility, visit:
ncsbe.gov/voting/help-voters-disabilities/accessible-voting-sites/curbside-voting
Common Questions/Concerns
Does Registering to Vote Affect my Federal Financial Aid?
Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA.
Does Registering to Vote Affect my Status as a Dependent on My Parents’ Taxes?
Being registered to vote at a different address from your parents does not prevent them from claiming you as a dependent on their taxes.
Does Registering to Vote impact my Tuition Status?
Being deemed out-of-state for tuition purposes does not prevent you from choosing to register to vote in your campus community.
Will registering to vote in North Carolina affect my driver’s license or car registration?
As a full time student in North Carolina, you may be required to obtain an North Carolina driver's license and update your car’s registration, regardless of whether you register to vote there. For more information, contact the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed North Carolina legal professional.
Last updated February 2024