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AARP AARP States North Carolina Voters

How to Vote in North Carolina’s 2024 Elections

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Important dates and election information

Key dates

  • General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
US-VOTE-NORTH CAROLINA
Voters walk to a polling place to cast their ballots in Charlotte.
GRANT BALDWIN/AFP via Getty Images

Voting at a glance

    Voting in North Carolina

    What to know about recent changes

    Court rulings and laws passed in 2023 introduced changes to voting procedures, some of which are being challenged in court:

    • Voters will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID when voting.
    • Absentee ballots must be received by the county elections board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day; a three-day grace period has been eliminated.
    • To register and vote during early voting and ensure the ballot is counted, your registration card must be successfully delivered to the address on your voter registration form. Voters will be notified and given an opportunity to verify their address if the card is returned as undeliverable.
    • All political parties must allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their primaries.

    Redistricting in 2023 changed the boundaries of state legislative and U.S. congressional districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot. Use the state's Find Your Legislators tool to look up your district. Litigation is ongoing. Check back for updates.

    Voter Registration

    The deadline to register for the General Election is Oct. 11, 2024, for the election on Nov. 5, 2024.

    Check your registration status by using the state’s voter search tool.

    Registering to vote on Election Day

    You cannot register and vote on Election Day in North Carolina. Same-day registration is only available during early voting.

    Ways to Vote

    Requesting an absentee ballot

    Request an absentee ballot online, by phone or in person.

    Mail or drop off the completed form to your county board of elections office.

    Remember to include your date of birth and North Carolina driver’s license number, DMV-issued state ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. A close relative, such as a spouse, sibling or child, or your legal guardian can request and submit the form on your behalf.

    Completing your absentee ballot

    Two witnesses or one notary public must be present when you fill out your ballot and must sign the back of your ballot envelope. You must include a copy of an eligible photo ID or fill out an exception form. Find detailed instructions for voting by mail on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

    Returning your absentee ballot

    Return your ballot by mail or in person.

    Military and overseas voters have different absentee voting instructions and deadlines. Find more information on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

    Register with BallotTrax to check your ballot’s status.

    Voting in person before Election Day

    Early in-person voting lasts 17 days, ending the Saturday before Election Day. Find locations and hours on the state board of elections website.

    Voting at the polls on Election Day

    On Election Day, you must vote at your designated precinct. Find your polling place by logging in to the voter search tool or by using the polling place search tool. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are in line before the polls close, you’ll be allowed to vote.

    Voter identification

    You will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID card, when voting. If you don’t have the required ID, you’ll still be allowed to vote, but you must fill out additional paperwork.

    Those 65 or older may use an expired ID as long as it was current on their 65th birthday.

    Voters without an ID can get a free ID card from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or their county board of elections office.

    Find more information, including a full list of acceptable IDs, on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

    North Carolina’s Voter ID law is being challenged in court. Check back for updates.

    Voting with a disability

    If you have a disability and need help entering the voting booth or marking your ballot, you may ask a person of your choice to assist you, as long as that person is not your employer or union representative or their agent. North Carolina offers curbside voting at each polling place and early voting site.

    Blind or visually impaired voters may vote online using an accessible absentee ballot.

    Find more information about accessible voting, including assistance for voters in care facilities, on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

    More information about candidates

    Key races:

    • U.S. President
    • U.S. House: all 14 seats
    • Governor
    • State House: all 120 seats
    • State Senate: all 50 seats
    • State Supreme Court: one seat

    To view or download sample ballots, enter your information into the state's Voter Search tool and then scroll down to "Your Sample Ballot".


    Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Dec. 29, 2023. It has been updated to reflect new information about the 2024 elections.

    Natalie Missakian covers federal and state policy and writes AARP’s Fighting for You Every Day blog. She previously worked as a reporter for the New Haven Register and daily newspapers in Ohio. Her work has also appeared in the AARP Bulletin, the Hartford Business Journal and other publications.

    Also of Interest:

    About AARP North Carolina
    Contact information and more from your state office. Learn what we are doing to champion social change and help you live your best life.