Updating Registration

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Overview

Find the details on how to change your registration online or through the mail and how to cancel your registration. See the Frequently Asked section on this page for additional information.

Change Your Registration Online

Existing N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) customers may update their voter registration residential or mailing address and party affiliation through the NCDMV’s Online Voter Registration Service. This service does not currently allow voters to change their name. Find more details on Complete Your Registration Online Through the DMV.

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Change Your Registration by Mail

The North Carolina Voter Registration Application may be used to change any voting information, including name, address, and party affiliation. The change notification must be signed and should be sent to the appropriate county board of elections by the voter registration deadline (25 days before each election.)

Updates to name, address, and party affiliation must be signed, but can be provided by fax or email to your county board of elections. A wet ink (physical) signature is not required for voter registration updates. Find more details on Complete Your Registration by Mail.

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Cancel Registration

Those that want to cancel their voter registration or report a deceased voter may find more information on Cancel Registration.

Frequently Asked

What if I have moved within my county?

When you move within your county, you should complete an in-county change of address. You may make changes to your voter registration using the following methods:

On your voter registration card
On an Address Confirmation Notice
By signed letter to your county board of elections
On the NC Voter Registration Application or National Mail Voter Registration Form
On the Federal Postcard Application or Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (for Military and Overseas Voters only)
At a one-stop early voting site
On Election Day (recommend updating your address before Election Day)
On State Absentee Ballot Request Form if you plan on voting by mail
The Online Voter Registration Service
At DMV or any other NVRA agency

What if I have moved within a time period close to an election?

If you move during a time close to an election, the following rules apply:

If you moved more than 30 days before the election, you must update your registration with your new address (or if applicable, register to vote in your new county of residence) no later than 25 days before the election. You may also update your address using same-day registration during the in-person early voting period.
If you don’t update your voter registration by Election Day, you may still vote at your new polling location, as long as your move is within the same county. Since your move was unreported, you may be asked to vote a provisional ballot. You can also vote provisionally at your old polling place, but you may not receive a ballot with all the contests you are eligible to vote in. You can also vote at a central transfer precinct; contact your county board of elections for more information about this option.
If you moved fewer than 30 days before the election, you must vote in your prior polling place.

Please be sure to notify the board of any changes to your mailing address, if different from your residential address. The board may need to contact you by mail to inform you of changes to your polling place and/or voting districts.

What about other changes?

If you need to make other changes to your voter record (name change, party affiliation change, etc.), you may use a voter registration application. For changes other than party affiliation, you may use same-day registration at an early voting site. For a primary election, you may not change your party affiliation at a One-Stop early voting site. You may change your party affiliation during early voting for a general election, but the change would not take place until after canvass.

How will I know the change has been made to my record?

Once you make changes to your voter registration record, allow two weeks for delivery of your new voter registration card. Read the information carefully and note any changes or mistakes on the card. A voter registration card is for your use only; you do not need the card to vote. You can also check your information on the Voter Search tool.