ABSENTEE VOTING

One-Stop Absentee Voting (In-Person Early Voting)

To vote at a One-Stop site simply give the Poll Worker your name, DOB and address.  The Poll Worker will verify your registration using a computer and if you are registered allow you to vote.  In some instances a voter may be asked to provide ID or proof of residency.  This happens if the Board of Elections has been unable to verify the voters residency.

If a North Carolina resident has missed the 25 day deadline for voter registration, he/she may register and vote during One-Stop Absentee Voting.  To register and vote during One-Stop Absentee Voting, a resident must fill out a voter registration application and prove residency by providing appropriate identification with current name and current address. The new registrant may vote ONLY at a One-Stop Absentee Voting Site in the county of registration during One-Stop Absentee Voting and not on Election Day.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

• A document from a local, state, or U.S. government agency with your name and current address
  • A North Carolina driver’s license or ID 
  • Passport
  • US Military ID
  • Automotive Registration
• A utility bill with name and current address
  • A telephone bill
  • An electric or gas bill
  • A cable television bill
  • A water or sewage bill
• A paycheck or paycheck stub from an employer or a W-2 statement
• A bank statement or bank-issued credit card statement

If you cannot supply acceptable Proof-of-Residence, your registration form cannot be processed until the required information is provided.

Absentee Voting by Mail

Who May Vote Absentee By Mail

Any qualified voter in North Carolina may request to vote an absentee ballot by mail or in person at any county board of elections. 

Applying by Mail

To apply for an absentee ballot by mail, send a written request to your county board of elections with the following information:

• Name (printed & signed)
• Residential address
• Address to which the ballot should be mailed
• Date of birth
• Telephone number (or contact number)
• If requesting for a Primary and the voter is registered  as "Unaffiliated", voter must state which party primary ballot he/she would like to receive.

You may submit your request at any time, but no later than the Tuesday prior to Election Day. The request can be made by the voter, a near relative, or verifiable legal guardian. Upon receipt of your request, the county board of elections will send you an absentee ballot, an application (located on the self addressed-return envelope) and instructions for completing the ballot.  Ballots will be available by mail 50 days prior to a Primary or General Election and 30 days prior to a Municipal Election.

Click here to download an Absentee By Mail Request Form

Voting Your Absentee Ballot

You should mark your ballot(s) following the instructions provided by your county board of elections.  After your ballot is marked, place it inside the self addressed-return envelope and seal it. Complete the application on the return envelope. You must mark your absentee ballot and sign the certification on the return envelope in the presence of a witness that is at least 18 years of age and is not your employer nor agents thereof, nor are owners nor employees of a care facility in which you are a resident. The witness must sign the return envelope.

Returning Your Absentee Ballot

Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the county board of elections no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election by mail or commercial courier service at the voter's expense or delivered in person by the voter, the voter's near relative or verifiable legal guardian.

Once your ballot has been returned to the board of elections, it may not be withdrawn. If your ballot has not been returned and your circumstances change, you may vote in person on Election Day but you must present the ballot you were mailed. If the ballot is damaged you will be issued a replacement ballot.