The basics
I am at college in North Carolina, don't have North Carolina ID
REGISTER to vote before October 11 with last 4 numbers of social security number.
VOTE in person on election day with student photo ID.
I am from North Carolina, at college away from home
- At college in another state
- REGISTER online with home North Carolina address
- VOTE by mail
- At college in North Carolina
- REGISTER online and update your voter registration address
- VOTE
Important dates
- October 11
- deadline to register
- October 29
- deadline to request absentee ballot
- October 17
- early voting begins
- November 5
- Election Day
North Carolina has non-strict voter ID laws. Information on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website is very clear and good.
You can REGISTER with the last four digits of your social security number.
You can VOTE with most forms of photo ID, including student IDs listed here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id/student-and-public-employee-ids-approved-voting
Register by October 11
Register at campus event
Most campuses should have some kind of in person registration drive where you can fill out the form
Register by mail
- Fill out, sign and print registration form, and mail it to your county board of elections, postmarked by October 11
- Form is here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/complete-your-registration-mail
- Find your board of elections address at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/BOEInfo/
Register online (ONLY if you have North Carolina ID)
(If you miss the deadline you can register and vote at the same time during early voting with proof of residence)
Information about same day registration here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/register-person-during-early-voting
VOTE
By mail (submit request by October 29)
Submit request for absentee ballot by 5pm the Tuesday before Election Day. October 29.
You are entitled to vote by absentee ballot in North Carolina without providing a reason
- Use absentee ballot portal here: https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home
- Or use the paper form. It has complete instructions for how to fill it out and where to send it. Find it here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail
- When you receive the absentee ballot fill it out and mail it back. Must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) by no later than 7:30 pm on Election Day to be counted. (You can also bring it in person to the county board of elections office).
- “Voters who vote by mail must include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot, or they may complete an ID Exception Form. The voter places the photocopy of ID or ID Exception Form in a pocket on the outside of the ballot container envelope, which is then placed in an outer return envelope to protect the privacy of the voter.“
- You can use your school ID if it’s on this list: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id/student-and-public-employee-ids-approved-voting
Early, in person, with photo ID
Early voting begins October 17th. Find your early voting place here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/EVSite/
You can use your school ID if it’s on this list: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id/student-and-public-employee-ids-approved-voting
On election day, with photo ID
Vote at your local polling place with photo ID.
You can use your school ID if it’s on this list: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id/student-and-public-employee-ids-approved-voting
Find polling place here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/