Check to confirm that you are registered to vote by using the N.C. State Board of Elections voter search tool.

Confirm your voter registration status

If you need to update your voter registration or register to vote for the first time, there are three ways that you can do that!

Online - Register to vote online through the N.C. DMV website here.

In-Person - Print a voter registration application found here, and then, mail it in or return it in-person to your local County Board of Elections. Voter registration applications are due 25 days before the general election - that’s October 9, 2020

Early Voting & Same-Day Registration (October 15 - 31) - Individuals who are not registered to vote in a county may register at early voting sites during the early voting period. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at that same site. This process is called “same-day registration.” Find a list of early voting sites on this page on the N.C. Board of Elections website.

IMPORTANT: Same-day registration is only available during Early Voting. Voters cannot register to vote on Election Day.

Voters need to register by October 9 or use same-day registration to vote during Early Voting.

In 2020, all registered North Carolina voters can vote by mail. Voters can request a ballot online and return it in-person or through the mail. The next sections outline how to request, return, and track a vote by mail absentee ballot.

Instrucciones para el formulario estatal de solicitud para la boleta del voto en ausencia 2020. Descarga el formulario y las instrucciones aquí.

As soon as possible! Don’t wait until the last minute or until the deadline to request a ballot. To avoid delays and allow time to resolve any problems, it’s a good idea for voters to request a ballot now and return it as soon as possible.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5:00 p.m. on October 27, 2020.

The deadline to submit (or return) a completed absentee ballot is 5:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2020.

Online: Voters can request an absentee ballot online through the N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Portal. The process takes just a couple of minutes.

Through the Mail: Voters can view, download, print, and sign an absentee ballot request form at this page on the N.C. Board of Elections website.  

After completing and signing the form, voters can return it through the official online portal, in-person at their local county board of elections, or by mail, email, and fax (details about those methods are included on the form).

A complete step-by-step process is outlined on this N.C. Board of Elections webpage. That information is also included below.

After getting an absentee ballot, voters should:

• Complete the absentee ballot in the presence of one witness and insert the ballot into the return envelope.

A witness should not observe so closely that they are able to see what votes the voter marked. What is required is that the witness sees that the voter is voting the ballot.

• Complete and sign the absentee ballot return envelope. Sign the outside of the ballot return envelope. Have the witness complete and sign the witness certification. If anyone receives assistance marking or mailing the ballot, the assistant must fill out the voter assistant certification.
• Return the ballot to the county board of elections. Only the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian may possess the absentee ballot to return it to the board of elections.
   

Guidance from the N.C. State Board of Elections details the process for voters to return an absentee ballot:

In 2020, there are a few ways to return your absentee ballot:

• By mail to your county board of elections, postmarked on or before Election Day, and received by 5 p.m. November 6
• By commercial courier service (DHL, FedEx or UPS)
• Dropped off in person at your county board of elections office by 5 p.m. Election Day (November 3)
• Dropped off in person at any early voting site in your county during voting hours

Voters with questions about returning their ballot can call 888-OUR-VOTE to speak with a nonpartisan elections expert!

Voters who have requested or returned an absentee ballot can track the process through the BallotTrax system created by the N.C. Board of Elections. Voters can track the status of their ballot and sign up for email or text alerts to track their ballot’s status.

Track your ballot on BallotTrax

Early Voting in North Carolina will run from October 15 - October 31. 

Every county offers Early Voting on weekdays. Many counties have Early Voting sites open on Saturdays and Sundays, as well. 

Use the N.C. Board of Elections location tool to find Early Voting sites and times in your county.

Important things to keep in mind about Early Voting:

• Voters can use any Early Voting site in their county, but voters have a specific Election Day place which can be found using this tool on the N.C. Board of Elections website;
• Voters can register and vote on the same day during Early Voting, but same-day registration is not available on Election Day. 

Early voting offers flexible hours and multiple locations allow people to vote when it works best for them.

Voters can take advantage of same-day registration to register for the first time or update their registration and cast a ballot concomitantly.

Voting early reduces the burden of poll workers and helps reduce the wait time for other voters on Election Day.