North Carolina General Election
Last update: Oct 05, 2026 01:04 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 04, 2026 01:24 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
North Carolina offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in North Carolina by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
North Carolina allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person in North Carolina during early voting and on Election Day.
29 days to Election Day!
- You can vote early in this election. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: request your absentee ballot online by Oct 20.
- Visit the North Carolina website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on North Carolina's website.
If you’re not registered:
- Register online by Oct 9.
- Your by mail registration form must be postmarked by Oct 9.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your absentee ballot on North Carolina’s BallotTrax website.
You can also check the status of your in-person ballot on North Carolina's website.
You can also check the status of your in-person ballot on North Carolina's website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on North Carolina's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in North Carolina.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check North Carolina’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in North Carolina.
The following photo IDs are acceptable and must be valid and unexpired, or expired for one year or less:
- North Carolina driver's license (you can use your Class C driver’s license if it expired more than one year ago, as long as it expired on or after July 1, 2025.)
- North Carolina state ID
- US passport or passport card
- North Carolina voter photo identification card
- college or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
- employee ID card issued by state or local government entity, including a charter school, and approved by the State Board of Elections
- drivers license or state ID issued by another state, as long as your voter registration is within 90 days of the election
The following photo IDs are acceptable regardless of expiration or issuance date:
- tribal enrollment card issued by the state or a federally recognized tribe
- military or veterans ID card issued by the US government
- ID card issued by an agency of the US government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program
Voters age 65 and older may use an expired form of photo ID, as long as the photo ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide photo ID, you will still be able to vote a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive instructions on what steps you need to take to ensure your provisional ballot is counted.
For more information, please visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
Can I register to vote online?
- North Carolina offers online voter registration.
- To register online in North Carolina, you must be an existing North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) customer and you will need your DMV-issued driver’s license or ID number and Social Security number. If you don’t have a NCDMV-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person at your county election office.
- If you are an existing DMV customer, you may register to vote, update your voter registration address, or update your party affiliation. You may not change your name.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Can I vote early?
Yes, North Carolina offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- In North Carolina, dates and times vary by where you live. Find when to vote.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check North Carolina's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in North Carolina.
The following photo IDs are acceptable and must be valid and unexpired, or expired for one year or less:
- North Carolina driver's license (you can use your Class C driver’s license if it expired more than one year ago, as long as it expired on or after July 1, 2025.)
- North Carolina state ID
- US passport or passport card
- North Carolina voter photo identification card
- college or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
- employee ID card issued by state or local government entity, including a charter school, and approved by the State Board of Elections
- drivers license or state ID issued by another state, as long as your voter registration is within 90 days of the election
The following photo IDs are acceptable regardless of expiration or issuance date:
- tribal enrollment card issued by the state or a federally recognized tribe
- military or veterans ID card issued by the US government
- ID card issued by an agency of the US government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program
Voters age 65 and older may use an expired form of photo ID, as long as the photo ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide photo ID, you will still be able to vote a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive instructions on what steps you need to take to ensure your provisional ballot is counted.
For more information, please visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the North Carolina voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in North Carolina, you must provide your North Carolina driver's license number OR Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. North Carolina will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in North Carolina partisan primary elections. If you do not affiliate with a party you may choose to participate in the Democratic, Libertarian, or Republican party primary, or you may request a nonpartisan ballot, if available. If you register with a party, you can only vote in that party's primary.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: In North Carolina, you are asked to indicate your race or ethnic group in the relevant box. However, you are not required to do so.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have been issued one, on your application. If you have not been issued an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
In North Carolina, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Fill out the mail ballot application and mail or return it in person to your local election office. You can also request a mail ballot online using the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail, in person at your local election office, or in person at an early voting site in your county. You may not return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
- North Carolina does not offer registration on Election Day.
- You may register and vote in person at the same time during the early voting period at any early voting site in your county.
- You may also register on Election Day if you become a U.S. citizen or have your rights restored following a felony conviction after the regular voter registration deadline.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You may also register and vote in person at the same time during the early voting period at any early voting site in your county.
- Learn more by visiting the North Carolina State Board of Elections website or contacting your local election office.
Watch this video about in person registration from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 15 - Oct 31
- Online : Oct 9
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 9
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 20 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 7:30 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 7:30 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in North Carolina.
The following photo IDs are acceptable and must be valid and unexpired, or expired for one year or less:
- North Carolina driver's license (you can use your Class C driver’s license if it expired more than one year ago, as long as it expired on or after July 1, 2025.)
- North Carolina state ID
- US passport or passport card
- North Carolina voter photo identification card
- college or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections
- employee ID card issued by state or local government entity, including a charter school, and approved by the State Board of Elections
- drivers license or state ID issued by another state, as long as your voter registration is within 90 days of the election
The following photo IDs are acceptable regardless of expiration or issuance date:
- tribal enrollment card issued by the state or a federally recognized tribe
- military or veterans ID card issued by the US government
- ID card issued by an agency of the US government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program
Voters age 65 and older may use an expired form of photo ID, as long as the photo ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide photo ID, you will still be able to vote a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive instructions on what steps you need to take to ensure your provisional ballot is counted.
For more information, please visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in North Carolina you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a resident of North Carolina and the county where you live for at least 30 days before the election
- be 18 years old by the day of the next General Election. You may pre-register to vote if you are at least 16 years old. You may vote in a primary election if you will be 18 years old at the time of the General Election
- not be serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole
Watch this video about who can register to vote from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in North Carolina. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using North Carolina's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In North Carolina, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The State Board of Elections oversees elections and election administration in North Carolina. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.