NORTH CAROLINA, USA — The 2024 General Election is coming up. Here's a guide to make sure you know what to do before you hit the polls.
Important Deadlines
- The voter registration deadline passed on Oct. 11
- Early voting started on Oct. 17. If you haven't registered, you can register if you vote early and in person.
- The Absentee ballot request deadline is on Oct. 29
- Early voting ends at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2
- Election Day is Nov. 5
Check Your Registration Status
Not sure if you're registered? Have you moved recently? If you have any questions about your registration status, you can check by clicking here.
Remember Your ID
Before you head to the polls, remember that North Carolina voters are now being asked to show photo ID.
This can be a:
- driver's license
- a state ID
- a U.S. Passport or Passport card, North Carolina voter photo ID card
- a college or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
- or a state or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections
If you don't have one, you can get a free one from your county's board of elections.
If you're voting absentee or by mail, a copy of your photo ID must be included.
Voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If you can't show a photo ID while voting in person, you can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form.
Voting Early Guide
Early voting started on Thursday, Oct. 17 and lasts until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.
You can search for a voting site by county by clicking here.
You can also look through a list of early voting sites by clicking here.
Remember, If you haven't registered, you can do same-day registration if you vote early and in person once you check-in.
If you're voting via an absentee ballot by mail, you can deliver your ballot to your county's board of elections office or to an election official at an early voting site.
Voting on Election Day Guide
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are in line at your polling place at 7:30 p.m., you will still be able to vote.
You can find your polling place by clicking here.
Voting
Absentee-By-Mail Voting Guide
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 29
You can request an absentee ballot online by clicking here or on paper by mail by clicking here (English) (Spanish).
Once you complete your ballot, you can either mail your ballot or return your ballot in person.
The return postage for the ballot is $1.77.
You can deliver your ballot to your county's board of elections office or to an election official at an early voting site. You may not, however, return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day.
Your ballot must be received by your county's board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. There is no longer a grace period.
You can find detailed instructions for voting by mail by clicking here.
Help for Voters with Disabilities
At least one machine at early voting locations and Election Day polling places is required to be accessible.
Any North Carolina voter can receive assistance going in or out of a voting booth as well as preparing a ballot if the person providing help is a near relative or legal guardian of the voter.
A near relative is a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child, grandchild, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild.
Some voters can receive help from other assistants. You can learn more about the eligibility requirements by clicking here.
Can't find what you're looking for? Click here to go straight to the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
