Voting Guide 2024 North Carolina
NOTE: Endnotes contain additional or more specific information. Endnotes are indicated by numbers, for each state there are 1-5 endnotes. Click here for endnotes and scroll to the state.
Election Day
Tuesday November 5
Registration Deadline
October 11 at 5pm (online, in person, postmarked by mail)
Same-Day Registration
YES, but only during Early Voting Period.
Automatic Voter Registration
NO
Election Day Registration
NO
Same-Day Registration
Only during Early Voting period.
How to Register to Vote
Register online via NC DMV or Vote411 or Federal Registration Form or Paper/PDF registration form. Check Your Registration status.
Early Voting
YES. Early Voting Info
Early Voting Dates
October 17 at 8am - Saturday November 2 at 3pm
Early Voting Drop Boxes
NO
Early Voting Locations
Early Voting Locations (but note that as of June 3, 2024, the information has not yet been posted)
Absentee Ballot Request
NO EXCUSE NEEDED. Include copy of Photo ID. Absentee Ballot Portal and Absentee Ballot Info Request via online or paper application.*
Permanent Absentee Voting
NO. However, there is an option to apply to vote absentee for all elections in current year if experiencing continued or expected illness or disability.
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline
October 29 at 5pm (received). Submit PDF application by mail (via the U.S. Postal Service, DHL, FedEx, or UPS) or in person to voter’s County Board of Elections Offices Lookup or List of County Boards of Elections on Absentee Application.
Absentee Ballot Return
Deadline: Election Day at 7:30pm (received)*.
How to Vote Absentee Ballot
Mark your ballot. See detailed instructions.
Must be witnessed by (2) witnesses or notary! Include copy of Photo ID! Add postage ($1.77).
Voter and witnesses sign envelope which goes into a second envelope (return envelope). More info. If you decide to vote in person instead of absentee, you may vote in person during Early Voting or on Election Day (and discard absentee ballot).*
Sample Ballots
Use Voter Search to view sample ballot for in-person voting. Available no later than September 6.
Election Day Vote In Person
November 5, 6:30am-7:30pm
Election Day Polling Places
Look Up Polling Place or use Voter Search.
How to Vote Election Day
Overview of Election Day Voting
Polling Place Electioneering
BUFFER ZONE: Varies by county, but always between 25 and 50 feet of entrance to polling place.
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES: Having campaign materials/signs/banners/literature; influencing voters/soliciting votes/political persuasion; voter intimidation/interfering with voter; obstructing entrance/hindering voter; other activities that include broad ban on "election-related activity.”**
See also, NCSL Electioneering Prohibitions.
Press Access to Polling Place
Reporters not permitted to conduct interviews inside buffer zone around polling place, but NC Election Official Manual recommends reporters get permission from person in charge of polling place before entering buffer zone. § 163-166.4.2
Poll Worker Info
To be poll worker: be at least 18 years of age, political affiliation generally required, you must be a resident of state and precinct for 30 days prior to the election, and complete required training, exam, and certification. High school students 17 years of age with county residency may be appointed with consent from a parent. Compensation provided.
Photo ID
YES. NC Photo ID Info.***
IN-PERSON VOTING: Present Photo ID.
VOTE-BY-MAIL: Include photocopy of ID in pocket on outside of ballot container envelope, which is then placed in an outer return envelope.
For exception to photo ID requirement, use ID Exception Form.
Provisional Ballots
YES. See NC Provisional Voting page.****
Deadline to cure is November 14 at 5pm.
Bring proof of eligibility to vote to County Board of Elections office ((County Board of Elections Offices Lookup or List of County Boards of Elections (pages 3-4 of Absentee Ballot Application)).
Tracking
Ballot Measures
Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment: Provide in the state constitution that only a citizen (rather than every citizen) of the U.S. may vote.
College Students
Out-of-State Students: If voter does not intend to return to home state after graduation OR does not yet know where they will live after graduation, voter may vote in NC while attending college in NC. Must prove NC residency. For more info, click here and check out Voting as a College Student info sheet.
Absentee Voting: College students may vote using an absentee ballot in NC if qualified to vote in NC. Students can also opt to vote in their home state either in person or via absentee ballot if allowed there.
People with Felony Convictions YES
Allowed to vote once sentence completed (including any probation, post-release supervision, or parole).
Restoration of right to vote is automatic, but will have to register to vote.
ONGOING LITIGATION: NC enacted a law that criminalizes voting before having felony rights restored. According to The Carolina Journal, “The challenged law — NCGS § 163-275(5) — created a Class I felony for people who vote in North Carolina’s elections without having their rights restored by law.” Law was found unconstitutional by US District Court (Judge Loretta Biggs), and the Court has enjoined enforcement of the law. This means that, at least for now, the State may not enforce the law. Stay tuned for the outcome of the State’s appeal.
Time Off to Vote
NO
Helpful Websites
NC Voter Info, Vote411 AZ, NC Voter Tools and Forms, 866OurVote NC, Military and Overseas, Help America Vote Act NC
Helpful Phone Numbers
NC State Board of Elections: (919) 814-0700 or these independent organization hotlines; Democracy NC: 888-OUR-VOTE (888-687-8683) and 866 Our Vote: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
Photo Credit: Elijah Mears