Registration
North Carolina registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
North Carolina Voting Guide
Use this North Carolina voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
At a Glance
North Carolina voting quick facts
Voter ID
North Carolina is listed as Strict photo ID.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 6:30 AM-7:30 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
In North Carolina, absentee voting is broadly divided into three categories: absentee-by-mail voting, military and overseas citizens voting (also called UOCAVA voting), and absentee one-stop voting. These processes are all considered absentee, because the...
Felony Voting Rights
In North Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, check early voting location, and 3 more.
Register
North Carolina voter registration options
North Carolina voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted. Same-day registration may also be available where noted.
Online Available
You may apply to register to vote online. Once completed, the application is sent to the N.C. State Board of Elections, which handles voter registrations. If there are any issues with the application or if more information is needed, your county board of elections will contact you to complete the process
- Online registration must be completed 25 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
Once completed, the application should be printed, signed and then mailed to the county board of elections in the county where the applicant resides
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 25 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
In North Carolina, the civilian voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day. North Carolina is one of the States that have enacted same day registration only during the early voting period.
- In-person registration must be completed 25 days before Election Day.
same day registration Available
Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place during Early voting period ONLY. N.C.G.S.A. § 163-865
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
military overseas Available
To register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, UOCAVA citizens may complete a FPCA or FWAB and send the form to their county board of elections
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Once you have completed and mailed your changes to your local board of elections, allow two to six weeks for delivery of your voter identification card.
Identification
North Carolina voter ID laws
North Carolina voter ID rule: Strict photo ID.
Strict photo ID
North Carolina voter ID rule: Strict photo ID.
Code: N.C. Const. Art. IV, § 3 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-166.16
Accepted forms of ID
- North Carolina driver's license
- Special identification card for nonoperators issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
- Other non-temporary identification issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
- United States passport
- North Carolina voter photo identification card
- Student photo identification card issued by: - a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, - a North Carolina community college, or - an eligible private postsecondary institution
- Employee identification card issued by a North Carolina state or local government entity, including charter schools
- Driver's license or nonoperator identification card issued by another U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia (valid only if voter registration occurred within 90 days of the election)
If you do not have ID
- A voter who cannot produce acceptable identification may cast a provisional ballot.
- The provisional ballot will count only if the voter presents acceptable identification to the county board of elections no later than the end of business on the business day before canvass.
Polling Places
North Carolina poll hours
Polling places in North Carolina are generally open 6:30 AM-7:30 PM.
6:30 AM-7:30 PM
In every election, the voting place shall be open at 6:30 A.M. and shall be closed at 7:30 P.M. If the polls are delayed in opening for more than 15 minutes, or are interrupted for more than 15 minutes after opening, the State Board of Elections may extend the closing time by an equal number of minutes.
Absentee Voting
North Carolina absentee and mail voting
In North Carolina, absentee voting is broadly divided into three categories: absentee-by-mail voting, military and overseas citizens voting (also called UOCAVA voting), and absentee one-stop voting. These processes are all considered absentee, because the voting takes place away from the traditional Election Day...
CDATA[Absentee Voting In North Carolina
In North Carolina, absentee voting is broadly divided into three categories: absentee-by-mail voting, military and overseas citizens voting (also called UOCAVA voting), and absentee one-stop voting. These processes are all considered absentee, because the voting takes place away from the traditional Election Day precincts.
Request an absentee ballot
- Any registered North Carolina voter may request an absentee ballot by mail.
- No excuse is needed to vote by absentee. To request an absentee ballot, complete the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Request Form.
- The Absentee Ballot Request Form may only be signed by the voter or a voter’s near relative or legal guardian.
- According to the law, a "near relative" can be any of the following: spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild of the voter.
Return an absentee ballot
- completed Absentee Ballot Request Form may be scanned and emailed, faxed, or mailed to the county board of elections.
- The contact information for the county boards of elections may be found here.
Eligibility
North Carolina voter eligibility
Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: Must be at least 18 years old or will be 18 by the date of the next general election.
Registration age: You must be at least 16 to register to vote.
To register to vote in the State of North Carolina, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- You are a United States citizen;
- Must be a resident of the county, and prior to voting in an election, must have resided at his or her residential address for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election.
- Prior to voting, must be a resident of the county for at least 30 days prior to election day.
- Must not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction (including probation or on parole). If previously convicted of a felony, the person’s citizenship rights must be restored. Citizenship and voting rights are automatically restored upon...
Voting Rights
North Carolina felony conviction voting rights
In North Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Lost Until Completion of Sentence; Automatic Restoration After
In North Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Citation: N.C. Const. Art. VI, § 2; N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 13-1, 163-55
Work and Voting
North Carolina time off for voting
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. North Carolina state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
Time off status: No
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. North Carolina state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
NC - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. North Carolina state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
Lookup
North Carolina voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, check early voting location, view your sample ballot, and 2 more.
Moving
North Carolina moving and student voting
When you move within a county, you should complete an in-county change of address. This can be completed on your voter identification card, a signed letter to your local board of elections, or on the form specified above.
Movers and college students Voting
When you move within a county, you should complete an in-county change of address. This can be completed on your voter identification card, a signed letter to your local board of elections, or on the form specified above.
What if I have moved?
- When you move within a county, you should complete an in-county change of address. This can be completed on your voter identification card, a signed letter to your local board of elections, or on the form specified above.
- When you move from one county to another, you will need to apply for voter registration in your new county of residence. Use the form specified above, request that an application be mailed to you, or pick up a form at any local board of...
- Note that if you move during a time close to an election, the following rules apply:
- If you have moved more than 30 days prior to the election, you will need to update your registration with your new address (or if applicable, register to vote in your new county of residence) no later than 25 days prior to the election. You...
- If you have moved fewer than 30 days prior to the election, you are still qualified to vote in your prior polling place and may vote only there, even if you moved outside of your county.
- It is important that the board of elections is able to contact you by mail to inform you of changes to your polling place and/or voting districts, so be sure to notify the board of any changes to your mailing address.
College Student
- At School. Students can establish residency in North Carolina if they have a present intention to remain at their North Carolina school address for the time being, and they intend to make it their principal home. Any other interpretation of...
Sources
North Carolina official voting resources
Questions
Common North Carolina questions
Can I register to vote online in North Carolina?
North Carolina lists online voter registration as available. You may apply to register to vote online. Once completed, the application is sent to the N.C. State Board of Elections, which handles voter registrations. If there are any issues with the application or if more...
What voter ID rule does North Carolina use?
North Carolina is listed as Strict photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in North Carolina?
Polling places in North Carolina are generally open 6:30 AM-7:30 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my North Carolina voter registration or polling place?
The North Carolina voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, check early voting location, view your sample ballot, and 2 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.