Voting in North Carolina

Get more information on how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting elections in North Carolina.

Upcoming Elections and Deadlines in North Carolina

Statewide & Federal
Local

Voter Registration In North Carolina

Who Can Register In North Carolina

To register to vote in North Carolina, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a resident of the North Carolina county you’re registering in for at least 30 days prior to the election
- Be at least 18 years old by the time of the next General election
- Not have been convicted of a felony, or have been convicted but have completed all terms of sentencing or have had your rights restored

You must register to vote at least 25 days before the election you wish to vote in, or you can register during early voting (see more under “Election Day Registration”).

North Carolina Election Day Registration

If you’re eligible to vote in North Carolina but have not yet registered, you can register and vote at one-stop early voting sites during the early voting period. North Carolina does NOT offer Election Day registration.

Pre-registration

You can pre-register to vote in North Carolina when you turn 16 if you will turn 18 by the next general election.

Voting Rights Restoration

North Carolina does restore the right to vote upon completion of sentence, including probation and/or parole.

If you have a past conviction, learn more about your eligibility to vote here.

Voting In North Carolina

Where To Vote In North Carolina

You can search for your polling place here.

Vote-by-mail & Absentee

No excuse is needed to vote absentee in North Carolina.

To request an absentee ballot in North Carolina, submit a completed PDF application with your original, non-digital signature by mail, by email, by fax, or in person to the county board of elections.

Click here to track your North Carolina absentee ballot.

To return your North Carolina absentee ballot, mail it back or deliver it in person to your county board of elections office or an open early voting site during the early voting period. One person is required to witness your ballot and complete the enclosed witness certification.

Early Voting In North Carolina

North Carolina offers in-person early voting. No excuse is needed to vote early. Early voting begins on the second Thursday of the month before the election through the last Saturday before the election.

Primary Elections In North Carolina

North Carolina has semi-closed primaries. Unless a recognized party chooses to have its primary open to unaffiliated voters, only voters registered with a particular party may vote in that party's primary. 17-year-olds can vote in the primary election if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

Voter ID In North Carolina

Voter ID Requirements

North Carolina’s voter ID law is currently involved in ongoing litigation and a photo ID is not required to vote due to two preliminary injunctions granted by the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The injunctions will remain in effect until so ordered by the courts.

Additional North Carolina Resources

Your State Election Official

Chair of State Board of Elections
Damon Circosta
https://www.ncsbe.gov/About-us
Phone number: 919.814.0700

Overseas & Military Voting

Voting As A Student

Voting For People With Disabilities

Learn more about voting in North Carolina if you have a disability.

Voting For People With Convictions

If you have a past conviction, learn more about your eligibility to vote from Restore Your Vote.