09/08/2010 2,755,391 1,942,328 8,399 1,441,908 6,148,026

Registering to Vote

Opportunities to register to Vote in North Carolina

Click here for Voter Registration Quick Facts

Register to Vote at A One Stop Voting Site

North Carolina allows for residents to register and vote during the One Stop Absentee Voting time period. For more information, click here. However, there is no voter registration during the One-Stop Voting period for a Second Primary. 


Agencies

Voter registration programs are actively conducted through many agencies in this State. If a person is applying for or receiving benefits from any of the participating agencies or programs, a voter registration transaction is available during the conduct of any business with that office. The following programs and agencies are currently participating in the agency voter registration program:

  • Work First
  • Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
  • Food Stamps
  • Medicaid
  • Services for the Blind
  • Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • North Carolina Protection and Advocacy Agency
  • Employment Security Commission

DMV

The driver's license examination offices, located throughout the State, have conducted a successful voter registration program since 1984. A person may complete a voter registration transaction at any driver's license examination office when conducting official DMV business with that office (applying for or renewing a driver's license, I.D. card, etc.).

Mail

North Carolina has made available mail-in voter registration forms through the county boards of elections offices. Those offices, in turn, have distributed the mail-in voter registration forms to numerous visible locations throughout the counties. This form is self-explanatory and can be easily completed. The completed forms should be mailed directly to the appropriate county board of elections. Contact the County Board of Elections office to receive a form in the mail.

Other options - Libraries and public high school

North Carolina has mail-in voter registration forms available through public libraries and high schools. These locations do not accept the forms for the county board of elections office. Forms may be obtained at these locations, completed, and mailed to the appropriate county board of elections office.

Qualifications to register to vote in North Carolina

To register to vote in this State, a person must sign a voter declaration attesting that:

  • I am a U.S. citizen.

  • I will have been a resident of North Carolina and this county for 30 days before the election.

  • I will be at least 18 years old by the next general election.

  • I am not registered nor will I vote in any other county or state.
  • If I have been convicted of a felony, my rights of citizenship have been restored.

Deadlines to Register to vote in North Carolina

The deadline to register to vote in this State is 25 days before the day of the election. Forms that are received by the county board of elections office or postmarked by the deadline are accepted as valid applications for the upcoming election. Also, agency and DMV voter registration transactions that are completed by the deadline are accepted as valid for the upcoming election. Applicants will be notified by the county board of elections of their precinct and polling place assignments.

Individuals who miss the registration deadline, if qualified, may register in person and then vote at a one-stop voting site in the person’s county of residence during the one-stop absentee voting period, which begins the third Thursday before an election and goes through the last Saturday before an election.