Detailed Instructions to Vote By Mail

Complete an Absentee Ballot Request Form 

• You must provide your date of birth and one of the following as a form of identification:
  • North Carolina driver license number or NCDMV issued identification card number.
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number.
• The request form must be signed by either the voter or the voter's near relative, or legal guardian. A typed signature is not allowed.
  • The absentee request form can be emailed, faxed, mailed, or returned in person to your county board of elections (contact information included with the form). Your county board of elections must receive the completed and signed absentee request form by 5 p.m. the Tuesday before Election Day.

Who Can Request a Ballot for You

• A near relative or legal guardian may request a ballot on behalf of the voter. A near relative is the voter’s: spouse, parent, grandparent, mother-in-law, brother, child, grandchild, father-in-law, sister, stepchild, stepparent, and son/daughter-in-law.

Who Can Assist You in Completing a Request

• Voters are only entitled to assistance from their near relative, verifiable legal guardian, or a member of a Multipartisan Assistance Team (MAT) authorized by the county board of elections. Contact the county board of elections to request a MAT.  
• Assistance for voters who are patients in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or adult care home (“facility”): It is unlawful for any owner, manager, director, or employees of the facility other than the voter’s near relative, verifiable legal guardian, or member of a MAT to request an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter. 
  • If neither the voter’s near relative nor verifiable legal guardian is available, and a MAT is not available within 7 calendar days of a request, the voter may obtain assistance from anyone who is not:
    • An owner, manager, director, or employee of the facility.
    • An elected official, a candidate, or an officeholder in a political party.
    • A campaign manager or treasurer for a candidate or political party.
• If a voter cannot complete the absentee request form due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, they may receive assistance from a near relative or legal guardian. If a near relative or legal guardian is not available, someone else can give assistance. That person must provide their name and address in Section 7.

Mark Your Ballot

• Mark your ballot in the presence of your witness.
• You may receive assistance in marking your ballot.
• Your witness should observe that you mark the ballot, not how you vote.

Seal Your Ballot

• Put your ballot into the envelope.
• Seal the envelope.
• Don’t put anything else into the envelope.

Sign the Envelope

• Sign your name on the back of the envelope.

Have Your Witness Sign the Envelope

• Your witness will print their name and address and then sign the back of the envelope.
  • Anyone who is 18 years of age or older can be a witness except a candidate (unless the candidate is your near relative or legal guardian).
  • See Assistance with Returning Your Ballot on the next tab for additional witness requirements.

If Necessary, Have Assistant Sign the Envelope

• If you received assistance with your ballot, the assistant must print their name and address, and sign the Voter Assistant Certification on the back of the envelope.

2 Ways to Return Your Ballot

1. Mail Your Ballot

   • Include correct postage on your ballot return envelope. Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by not later than 5 p.m. three days after Election Day. 
   • We strongly recommend you mail your ballot well before Election Day, to help ensure it arrives in time. If you place your ballot in a USPS drop box on Election Day it may not be postmarked until the day after, depending on pickup time for that box.

2. Return Your Ballot In Person

   • You can return your ballot to the board of elections office or to a one-stop early voting site in your county.
   • If returning to your county board of elections office on Election Day, it must be received by 5 p.m.
   • You may not return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day.
   • You can return your ballot to the board of elections office or to a one-stop early voting site in your county. Your ballot must be received by Election Day. You may not return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day.
   • Find your county board of elections office here.
   • Find an early voting site in your county here.

Who Can Return the Ballot?

• According to statute, only you, or your near relative or legal guardian may mail or hand-deliver the Return Envelope.  Do not give your balloting materials to a neighbor, friend, or stranger.
• A near relative is your: Spouse, brother, sister, parent, child, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, or son-in-law.

Assistance with Returning Your Ballot

• If you have a disability and need assistance mailing your ballot: You may direct an individual to immediately take the sealed envelope containing your ballot to the closest U.S. mail depository or mailbox, as long as the person is not disqualified from assisting you. Individuals who are disqualified from serving as a witness are also disqualified from serving as the Voter’s Assistant.
  • If you have a mailbox at your residence, that would be the closest depository. The individual taking your sealed ballot to the closest depository or mailbox must sign the Voter Assistant Certification on the back of the Ballot Envelope.
• Witnesses and returners may not be: 
  • For all voters: A person who is a candidate for nomination or election to any federal, state, or local elective office in the primary or election in which you are voting absentee (unless the candidate is your near relative or legal guardian.)
• For patients in facilities, witnesses and returners may not be:
  • An owner, manager, director, or employee, of a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or rest home in which you are a patient or resident.
  • A person who holds any federal, state, or local elective office.
  • A person who holds office in a state, congressional district, county, or precinct political party or organization, or who is a campaign manager or treasurer for any candidate or political party.