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How to register to vote in North Carolina

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These guides are researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. The information in these guides originates from official state sources and is reviewed by state election offices. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

North Carolina offers online voter registration to existing customers of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. 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 in person at your county election office, North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) offices, and other government agencies.

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.

Registration Top Actions

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Urgent Notices

If your community was impacted by Hurricane Helene, there are resources available to help you vote. Visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections website for more information.

Who can register to vote?

To register in North Carolina you must:
  • be a citizen of the United States
  • 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.

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. Existing DMV customers may register to vote, update their voter registration address, or update their party affiliation. They may not change their name. 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.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: When submitting a voter registration application by mail in North Carolina, you are required to provide your valid North Carolina driver’s license or DMV ID number. If you do not have a North Carolina-issued ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate you do not have an ID number and include a copy of ONE of the following: current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office
  8. If you registered to vote for the first time and did not provide a North Carolina driver license number or last four digits of your Social Security number on your registration application, or you provided a number that could not be validated, you will be required to show proof of identification. Proof of identification includes:
    • Current and valid photo identification,
    • Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address
    • More information here.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

You can also register to vote using the North Carolina voter registration form.

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?

Watch this video about in person registration from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in North Carolina before you turn 18 if you:
  • are at least 16 years old
  • are a citizen of the United States
  • live in the county where you are registering and have resided there for at least 30 days prior to Election Day when you plan to vote
  • are not serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole

You must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in a primary election if you are 17 and will be 18 by the general election.

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in North Carolina:
  • County Board of Elections
  • North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV)

You can find a full list of designated voter registration agencies on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register online on the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) website.
To register online in North Carolina, you must be at least 17 years old. 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.

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote by mail on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.
When submitting your application by mail in North Carolina, you are required to provide your valid North Carolina driver’s license or DMV ID number. If you do not have a North Carolina-issued ID, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates you do not have an ID number and include a copy of ONE of the following:
  • current utility bill
  • bank statement
  • government check
  • paycheck
  • other government document that shows your name and address

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:
  1. 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.
  2. Send the application to your local election office.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. 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.

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.

How do I contact my state election office?