Overview

On this page, find details about registering to vote or updating your voter registration information by mail. To learn about registering to vote or updating your registration online, visit Complete Your Registration Online Through the DMV. To find information about all the ways to register to vote, see How to Register.

In North Carolina, the civilian voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day. In 2023, there are three different voter registration deadlines, depending on the municipal election date:

  • Aug. 18, 2023, for municipal elections taking place on Sept. 12, 2023.
  • Sept. 15, 2023, for municipal elections taking place on Oct. 10, 2023.
  • Oct. 13, 2023, for municipal elections taking place on Nov. 7, 2023.

For information about the 2023 municipal elections, visit Upcoming Election.

If you miss the registration deadline, you may be eligible to register and vote or make changes to your voter registration (anything other than party affiliation) and vote during the early voting period. Learn more at Register in Person During Early Voting.

Uses for the Mail-in Application

If you are a North Carolina resident, you may use the voter registration application to:

  • Register to vote.
  • Update your name.
  • Update your address.
  • Update your party affiliation.

How to Submit Your Application

  1. Download and complete the appropriate voter registration application. Make sure to complete all required fields.
  2. Print the application.
  3. Sign the application (ink to paper). If you are a new registrant, you must submit the original application by mail or in person. If you are an existing registrant in the county and are using the form to update your information, you may also fax or email the signed form.
  4. Mail the form to your county board of elections.

Failure to complete a required field will slow your registration.

If the application is complete and you meet all qualifications to vote, the county board of elections will mail you a voter registration card. This mailing is non-forwardable and serves to verify your address. If the U.S. Postal Service returns a card as undeliverable, a second mailing will be sent. If the second mailing is returned as undeliverable, the voter registration will be denied.

If you submit your application form before the voter registration deadline for the next election, you should receive your voter registration card within two weeks. Contact your county board of elections if you do not receive your voter registration card.

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