In-person voting
Make sure you know where your polling place is and have a plan for voting day.
Mail-in voting
Request your ballot by OCTOBER 29 and be sure to mail it before Election Day. Note: For Helene-affected counties, this deadline has been extended to NOVEMBER 4 for in-person requests.
Early voting
Vote early in North Carolina from OCTOBER 17 – NOVEMBER 2.
Are you ready for it?
Be sure to register online or by mail to vote in North Carolina by October 11. If you are affected by Hurricane Helene, click here for information about voting.
Frequently asked questions
Who can register to vote in North Carolina?
To register to vote in North Carolina you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a resident of North Carolina and your election district for at least 30 days before the next election
- Be at least 18 years old on the day of the next election
- Not convicted of a felony (or, if so, have had your civil rights restored)
- Not judged mentally incompetent in a court of law
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No! North Carolina does not offer same-day voter registration on Election Day, but you can register in person during early voting.
What are the voter registration deadlines?
- You must register by Friday, October 11 at 5 pm to vote by mail or in person on Election Day.
- North Carolina also offers in-person voter registration during early voting.
What do I need to bring to vote?
Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina, but all voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If a voter cannot show photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form. If absentee-by-mail voters are unable to include a copy of their photo ID with their ballot return envelope, they can also fill out an ID Exception Form with their ballot.
Valid forms of ID include:
- Driver's license
- State ID, U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
- Voter photo ID (see Get a Free Voter Photo ID)
- Military or veterans ID card, Tribal enrollment card (with photo)
- College or university student ID
- State, local government, or charter school employee ID
Learn more about North Carolina's voter ID requirements.
How can I vote from overseas or in the military?
Learn more about how to vote in North Carolina if you are in the military or live abroad.
I was affected by Hurricane Helene and need help voting.
Please visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website for up-to-date information for voters affected by the hurricane.
If you live in one of the following counties, the state board of elections has passed additional safeguards to help you vote this election such as extended absentee ballot request deadlines and shelter voting options:
Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey