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Voter Registration Frequently Asked Questions
The voter registration deadline is 25 days prior to an election. Individuals, who miss the registration deadline, may register in person and then vote at one-stop voting sites in the person’s county of residence during the one-stop absentee voting period (Early Voting). In order to register during a one-stop period, the applicant must show acceptable proof of name and residence in the county. Click here for more information on the one-stop voter registration process.
Q. May I fax or email a voter registration form?
Yes, you may fax or email your voter registration form, but if the application is for new registration or change of party affiliation, the county board of elections must receive your original signature within 20 days of the voter registration deadline for an election.
Q. May I sign a voter registration application for someone else?
No, only a voter may sign his or her voter registration application. You are not permitted to sign the form for your spouse, child or parent, even if you have power of attorney for the person.
Q. I moved, but I forgot to update my voter registration. May I still vote?
Updating your voter registration.
Q. I lost my voter card, will I need it to vote?
No, your voter card is not needed to vote. If you would like to receive a replacement card, please contact your county board of elections and ask that a new card be mailed to you.
Q. If I register as an unaffiliated voter, can I vote in a primary election?
Yes. If you are an unaffiliated voter, you can choose to participate in any recognized party’s partisan primary, or you may request a non-partisan ballot. However, you must choose only one party's primary. Participating in a partisan primary will not affect your status as an unaffiliated voter. If you request a non-partisan ballot, you will only vote for those contests that are non-partisan (i.e. judicial contests, referenda, etc.).
Q. Are voter registration forms available in other languages?
Voter registration materials and instructions are currently available in both English and Spanish.
Voter registration records are not “purged” simply due to non-voting. Voters are removed from the voter rolls due to a biennial list maintenance process that is mandated by federal and state law. If a county board of elections has not had any contact with a voter for a period of two federal election cycles, then the voter will be sent a non-forwardable no-contact mailing. If the mailing is not returned as undeliverable by the postal system, then the voter will remain an active voter. If the mailing is returned as undeliverable by the postal system, then the voter will be sent a forwardable address confirmation mailing. The voter will be required to return the confirmation mailing within 30 days of the mailing. If the confirmation mailing is not returned by the voter within that time, or the mailing is returned by the postal system as undeliverable, then the voter’s record will be marked inactive in the voter registration database. Inactive voters are still registered voters. If an inactive voter presents to vote, the person will be asked to update his or her address with the board of elections. In the event that an inactive voter remains in this status for another two federal election cycles (meaning the county board still has no contact with the voter), then the voter will be removed as a voter in the county.
In North Carolina, county boards of elections follow a comprehensive list maintenance schedule to remove names of individuals who are no longer eligible to be registered due to death, felony conviction, removal from the county, or lack of voter contact.