GREENSBORO, N.C. —
Register online if you've used the DMV before!
Signing up to vote in the 2020 election is a snap! First, here are qualifications that you must meet in order to register to vote in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections
- Must be a U.S. citizen and must live in the county where the voter is registering — specifically, voters must have resided in that county for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election.
- Must be at least 18 years old, with exceptions made for those who will be 18 by the date of the general election. However, 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote, and 17-year-olds can vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.
- Must not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction. This includes probation, parole, or post-release supervision. It's important to note, in this case, once an individual has completed a felony sentence or been pardoned, they are eligible to register and vote.
NC residents are first required to fill out a form to either register to vote or update aspects of their voter registration — updates could be for a change of name, address, or party affiliation.
Once the form is filled out, the North Carolina State Board of Elections asks applicants to mail the signed form to their local county board of elections office or drop it off in person.
Existing registrants in the county are also allowed to fax or email the signed form, but that isn't the case for new registrants.
Register online if you've used the DMV before!
However, there is another way — DMV customers with a North Carolina license are now able to register to vote or update certain parts of their registrations online but they may not change their name using that tool.
NCSBE said this is a standalone service and doesn't require the user to complete a transaction through the DMV since there isn't a fee for voter registration services.
If the application is accepted, the county board of elections will mail you your voter registration card. But if applicants miss the deadline, the application won't be processed until after the election.
The deadline this year falls on Friday, Oct. 9.
If all else fails, don't panic according to Democracy Works:
"After the regular voter registration deadline of Oct. 9, you can register and vote in person at one-stop sites during the early voting period, which runs from Oct. 15, to Oct. 31, 2020. This process is known as same-day registration. Same-day registrants must attest to their eligibility and provide proof of residence. Within two business days, the county board of elections will review the registration and the registrant's address. Your vote will be counted unless the county board of elections determines that you are not qualified to vote."