Overview of Early Voting

During the early voting period, voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county, and would-be voters may same-day register and vote. This is different than Election Day, where registered voters must vote at their assigned polling place. 

For an overview of the 2023 municipal elections, visit Upcoming Election. Information about early voting sites and schedules for the 2023 municipal elections will be posted as soon as it is available.

Unsure if you are registered? Find out if you are registered to vote by entering your information into the Voter Search. 

Early Voting Sites

Early voting sites and schedules will be posted to the One-Stop Early Voting Site Search when they become available. 

The State Board asks that all voters respect the right of others to participate in the election. Intimidating any voter is a crime. Voters who feel harassed or intimidated should notify an election official immediately.

Same-Day Registration

When you check in to vote at an early voting site, you may update your name or address within the same county if necessary. Individuals who are not registered to vote in a county may register and immediately vote at that same site. This process is called “same-day registration.” Find more information at Register in Person During Early Voting.

Your Sample Ballot

To view sample ballots, registered voters must enter their information into the Voter Search and navigate to “Your Sample Ballot.” Voters can practice making selections with the accessible sample ballot: “Option 4” at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal.

Note: Sample ballots for each election are only available once finalized.

By-Mail Absentee Ballot Drop-Off

Voters who receive an absentee ballot by mail may deliver their ballot to an election official at a one-stop early voting site during any time that site is open for voting. Ballots will be kept securely and delivered to the county board of elections for processing.

Voting Equipment

To see what your county uses for one-stop early voting, go to the Voting Equipment page, and see the map for “One-Stop Early Voting Equipment, by County.”

Voter Assistance and Curbside Voting

Any voter who qualifies for assistance may ask for help at an early voting site. N.C.G.S. § 163-166.8. To find more information, visit Help for Voters with Disabilities. Curbside voting is available for eligible individuals. For more information, see Curbside Voting.

After You Vote

You can find that your vote counted in the “Your Absentee Ballot” section of the Voter Search database. Under North Carolina law, all early votes – by-mail or in-person – are considered absentee votes. Your ballot status also will show up in the “Voter History” section as soon as your county completes the post-election process of assigning voter history to your record. This may take up to a few weeks after Election Day.