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North Carolina voter registration guide
North Carolina voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): 25 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked 25 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): 3 days before Election Day
Check your North Carolina voter registration status
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your North Carolina registration using the North Carolina voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
North Carolina voter registration rules
To register in North Carolina you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of North Carolina and the precinct in which you live for at least 30 days prior to Election Day
- be 18 years old by the General Election (you may pre-register if you are 16 years old and if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
- if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed parole and probation
- not be registered or vote in any other county or state.
North Carolina online voter registration
You can register to vote online if you have a North Carolina driver license, driver permit, or nondriver photo ID card.
- Visit the North Carolina online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 25 days before Election Day .
North Carolina by-mail voter registration
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Enter North Carolina driver’s license number. If you don't have a driver’s license, enter the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have either number, write "NONE" in the box.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a party to vote in that party’s primary unless that party allows unaffiliated voters to vote in its primary. If you indicate a political party that is not a qualified party, or indicate no party, you will be listed as “Unaffiliated”.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You are required to fill in this box. However, your application will not be rejected if you fail to do so.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked 25 days before Election Day .
North Carolina in-person voter registration
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your North Carolina driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and North Carolina address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
North Carolina same day registration
- Summary: North Carolina has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find where to vote.
- What to bring:
Bring your North Carolina driver's license or any photo ID issued by a government agency that contains your name and address. If you don't have one, bring an acceptable document with your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a student photo ID (must be paired with a proof of campus habitation), recent utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Registering to vote in North Carolina with a felony conviction
Voting rights are restored after the completion of parole and payment of fines and fees. You can then register to vote. North Carolina restoration information
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for North Carolina elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
State Board of Elections P.O. Box 27255 Raleigh, NC 27611‐7255
External resources
- North Carolina online voter registration
- North Carolina online absentee ballot request
- North Carolina voter status lookup
- North Carolina absentee ballot tracker
- North Carolina provisional ballot tracker
- North Carolina polling place locator
References
- North Carolina early voting information
- North Carolina absentee ballot information
- North Carolina voter registration information
- North Carolina voter ID information
- North Carolina student voter information
- North Carolina voting rights restoration for voters with felony convictions
- North Carolina election code