North Carolina

Registering to Vote

How do I register to vote for the first time?

You can register to vote in North Carolina by using one of the following methods:

• Online: Register to vote by completing the application on the North Carolina DMV website
• By mail: You may get a paper voter registration form by printing one out from the website, or picking up a paper form at your local elections office. Once you’ve filled out the form, you’ll need to print it, sign it, and mail it.
• In person: Visit an office where elections are administered in your area and register there in person. You must register 25 days before the election.
• On Election Day: North Carolina has same-day voter registration. You’ll be able to complete a voter registration form at your polling place.

The application is available in English and Spanish.

You can also register to vote on BallotReady.org.

How do I update or change my voter registration?

The process of changing your voter registration is similar to registering to vote for the first time. You can update your voter registration online, by mail, or in-person. You can also use BallotReady.org to check your voter registration status. 

Remember that the deadline to change your voter registration is 25 days before the election.

What ID do I need to register to vote?

The identification that you need to register to vote in North Carolina varies based on the method of registration: 

Registering to vote in an election office 

Be prepared with your driver's license number or non-driver ID number or the last four digits of your social security number. If you do not have a driver's license, non-driver ID or social security number you may use a valid photo ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or some other government document that shows your name and address.

Registering to vote by mail

Provide your North Carolina driver’s license number, or North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID number. If you do not have a driver’s license, then list the last four digits of your social security number. If you do not have any of these identification numbers, please write “NONE” on the form. A unique identifying number will be assigned to you for voter registration purposes.

Registering to vote online

You will need to be an existing DMV customer with a North Carolina DMV-issued driver’s license or ID.

Registering to vote on Election Day

• North Carolina driver’s license.
• Other photo identification issued by a government agency, provided that the card includes the voter’s current name and address.
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter’s name and address.
• For students living on campus, a document from an educational institution with the student’s name and on-campus housing address. Or, an educational institution may provide the county board of elections a list of students residing in particular campus housing, which will suffice if a student living in campus housing shows a valid student photo identification card.

Registering to vote during in person during early voting

Bring documents to prove your residence by showing one of the following documents with your current name and address: North Carolina driver's license, other photo identification issued by a government agency (any government-issued photo ID is acceptable, provided that the card includes the voter's current name and address), copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter's name and address, or a current college/university photo ID card paried with proof of campus habitation.

If you’re under the age of 18, you may still be eligible to register to vote! If you can pre-register, you’ll need the following documents:

Pre-registering to vote in an election office 

Be prepared with your driver's license number or non-driver ID number or the last four digits of your social security number. If you do not have a driver's license, non-driver ID or social security number you may use a valid photo ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or some other government document that shows your name and address.

Pre-registering to vote by mail

Provide your North Carolina driver’s license number, or North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID number. If you do not have a driver’s license, then list the last four digits of your social security number. If you do not have any of these identification numbers, please write “NONE” on the form. A unique identifying number will be assigned to you for voter registration purposes.

Pre-registering to vote online

You will need to be an existing DMV customer with a North Carolina DMV-issued driver’s license or ID.

Pre-registering to vote on Election Day

• North Carolina driver’s license.
• Other photo identification issued by a government agency, provided that the card includes the voter’s current name and address.
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter’s name and address.
• For students living on campus, a document from an educational institution with the student’s name and on-campus housing address. Or, an educational institution may provide the county board of elections a list of students residing in particular campus housing, which will suffice if a student living in campus housing shows a valid student photo identification card.

Pre-registering to vote during in person during early voting

Bring documents to prove your residence by showing one of the following documents with your current name and address: North Carolina driver's license, other photo identification issued by a government agency (any government-issued photo ID is acceptable, provided that the card includes the voter's current name and address), copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter's name and address, or a current college/university photo ID card paried with proof of campus habitation.

For more information on voting requirements for your state, make a plan to vote on BallotReady.org. 

How do I check my voter registration?

Residents of North Carolina can check their voter registration status through the following methods:

• Online: Visit (state’s) voter registration page run by the DMV
• Election authority: For specific questions, you may be able to contact your local elections office, courthouse, or county elections office for more information on your voter registration status.

You can also check your voter registration on BallotReady.org. 

What is the deadline for registering to vote?

In North Carolina, when registering by mail or online, you need to be registered to vote at least 25 days before an election to be eligible to cast a ballot. 

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• Mail: {{ deadline_voter_registration_mail }}
• Received in-person by: {{ deadline_voter_registration_in_person }}
• Submitted online by: {{ deadline_online_voter_registration }}

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

In most cases, you cannot register to vote on Election Day in North Carolina. There are a few limited exceptions, which you can find on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

Can I register to vote during early voting?

Yes, in North Carolina, you can complete voter registration during early voting. At your early voting location, be sure to register to vote before completing your ballot.

Who is eligible to register to vote?

North Carolina residents that fit the following criteria are eligible to register to vote:

• Be a US citizen
• Live in the county in which you are registering for at least 30 days
• Be at least 18 years old by the date of the general election (16- and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote)
• Not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction, including probation, parole, or post-release supervision

In North Carolina, you can register to vote, even if you’re under the age of 18! Future voters who are 16 or 17 may pre-register to vote. They will be eligible to vote for the first election after they turn 18. 

Do I have to choose a political party when registering to vote?

North Carolina gives voters the option to choose a political party when registering to vote. It is not required to register, but choosing “no party preference” could limit your ability to participate in presidential primary elections and caucuses.