We are around 70 days away from the November elections! From corrupt congressional maps to eliminating crucial voting sites, our state has been in the spotlight for Republican attempts to cling to power by suppressing and disenfranchising eligible voters. Moreover, Gov. Josh Stein has recently vetoed HB 958, a harmful voter suppression bill that will make it harder for North Carolinians to vote if passed by the Republican-led General Assembly.
Despite this, North Carolinians are continuing the fight for voting rights as we spread the word about getting out to vote for our upcoming general election and about how voting can change our daily lives for the better.
Make sure to check your voter status, register or re-register to vote if you haven’t already, make a voting plan, and spread the word!
First-time voter? No worries! Whether you are voting for the first time or needing to brush up on voting information, we’ve got you covered!
To register to vote, visit here for more information about registering online, in-person, or by mail. The deadline to register is October 9th by 5 pm, however, same-day registration during the early voting period is available.
Below are instructions to register:
- If registering online or in-person at the DMV: Existing North Carolina DMV customers can submit a voter registration application.
- To register by mail: Fill out a North Carolina voter registration form and mail it in; forms are available in English and Spanish.
- The federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows certain voters an expedited means to register and vote by mail-in ballot.
Find more information: Military and Overseas Voting.
After you register, check Voter Lookup to confirm your status, find your polling place and sample ballot, view your party affiliation, and track your absentee ballot information. Look over your sample ballot when it becomes available to learn more about races, state referendum, and to check if your ballot has a back side.
Ready to vote? Bring an acceptable form of photo identification and make a plan to vote; more information below:
- Early Voting: Early in-person voting usually starts 19 days before the election. This year, early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 15 to Saturday, Oct. 31 by 3 p.m. Find early voting sites here.
- Absentee Voting: If you prefer to vote by mail, you’ll need to request an absentee ballot by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
(If you are military or an overseas voter, absentee ballots begin going out Friday, Sept. 4)
Once you receive your ballot, follow the instructions carefully and return it by 7:30 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. For more information, go here.
- Election Day Voting: If voting in person on Election Day is your priority, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can find your Election Day polling place here.
Check out Common Cause’s Voter Guide for voting tools, candidate information, important dates, and more!
Your voice and your vote have power; make a plan to vote today!
