North Carolina Voting Guide

Am I eligible to vote in North Carolina?

Eligibility requirements to vote in North Carolina are as follows:

• You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old on Election Day
• You must be registered to vote and live in the county that you’re registered to vote in for at least 30 days
• You cannot be serving a sentence in prison or jail for a felony conviction

If you previously served a sentence for a felony conviction and your rights have been restored, you can vote in North Carolina.

You can check your voter registration status using the voter search tool.

When is North Carolina’s voter registration deadline?

The deadline to register to vote in North Carolina is 25 days before an election. The following are the deadlines for registration to vote for the 2024 elections:

• For the primary election on March 5, 2024: February 9, 2024
• For the general election on November 5, 2024: October 11, 2024

North Carolina also offers same-day registration under some circumstances. To do same-day registration, you must show proof of residency, such as a copy of a utility bill or a North Carolina driver’s license. Government-issued IDs are also acceptable for showing residency.

How can I vote early in North Carolina?

You can check the early voting sites in your local county. These polling places offer convenient locations statewide to register to vote and cast your ballot before election day. Any eligible voter in North Carolina can take advantage of the early voting option.

You can check out the one-stop voting sites to learn more about where to vote early.

How do I request an absentee ballot in North Carolina?

Any registered NC voter can request to vote absentee in North Carolina. There are two options to do so:

• Request online at the absentee ballot portal
• Request and fill out an absentee ballot request form. Submit it in person to your county board of elections or send it via mail.

You can track your ballot via BallotTrax.

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) also allows certain voters abroad to register and vote using mail-in ballots. Some of the voters UOCAVA covers include active-duty military members, their dependents, and American citizens living outside the country.

What do I need to bring to the polls in North Carolina?

In a ruling issued on April 2023, the North Carolina Supreme Court restored the voter ID law. The state’s ID requirements, which took effect in 2018, are in effect.

As of May 2023, the following are acceptable forms of identification:

• North Carolina driver’s license
• State ID issued by North Carolina DMV, otherwise known as non-operator ID
• U.S. Passport or U.S. passport card
• North Carolina voter photo ID issued by a County Board of Elections
• Student ID issued by a college or university approved by the North Carolina State Board of Elections
• Employee ID by the state or local government entity
• U.S. military ID
• U.S. veterans ID
• Tribal enrollment ID
• Public assistance ID card issued by a U.S. agency, department, or entity

If an NC voter cannot show an acceptable photo ID when voting, the voter may fill out a photo ID exception form. The county boards of elections office can also issue a free voter photo ID card.

You must be a registered voter in the county and provide your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. The county election official will also take a photograph of your ID.

What special accommodations are available?

Federal and state law requires accessible voting options for voters with disabilities. This includes providing accessible voting machines and ballots and ensuring every voter can participate in the electoral process. NC voters with disabilities can also receive voting assistance.

For more information on voting accommodations for voters with disabilities, visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website at Help for Voters With Disabilities.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

If you are unsure what to do or say when you see something illegal or fraudulent at the polls, you can report it to the Board of Elections. The security section of the North Carolina State Board of Elections website has information about election-day security, voting machines, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and more.

You can also contact a North Carolina civil law attorney specializing in election laws if you have questions about voting information.