NORTH CAROLINA VOTER’S BILL OF RIGHTS
You have the right to vote – it’s the law, and the proof is in your hands! You’ll notice letters and numbers after each of your rights listed below. These tell lawyers and poll workers where to find the NC statute or legal document that protects your rights as a properly-registered voter. Take this document with you to vote. If you are not registered, check out the bottom section.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE
HOURS. Your assigned Election Day polling place is open between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm. You must be allowed to vote if you are in line or inside the polling place by 7:30 pm (or in line or inside the polling place at the closing time of any Early Voting poll in your county). It’s the law: NC General Statute (NCGS) 163A-1130
YOU NEED ID TO VOTE IN NORTH CAROLINA.You now need to show an NC driver’s license or other “acceptable photo ID” to vote with a regular ballot, beginning in the 2023 municipal elections due to an April 2023 ruling by the NC Supreme Court. Learn more, including what types of IDs are acceptable, at www.gotidnc.org. NCGS 163-166.16
PROVISIONAL BALLOT. If any problem arises, you have a right to vote with a provisional ballot. For example, ask for a provisional ballot if you believe you have registered but your name is not on the rolls or if you are told that you are in the wrong precinct. You must also be given a way to find out if the provisional ballot was counted, and if not, the reason it was not counted. NCGS 163A-1142
IF YOU MOVE. If you have moved within your county and have lived in your new location for more than 30 days, you have the right to vote in your new precinct or at a central location. If you have lived in your new location less than 30 days, you must vote in your old precinct or cast a provisional ballot in your new precinct. If you have moved within your precinct, you can update your info at the polls and vote. If you move to a new county, you must re-register to vote by 25 days before the election or you can visit an Early Voting poll anywhere in your new county to register and vote all at the same time. Find your county’s Early Voting locations at demnc.co/earlyvoting. NCGS 163A-878
NAME CHANGE. If your name has changed since you registered to vote, you have the right to vote, even if you have not reported your name change to election officials. NCGS 163A-880
SPOILED BALLOT. If you make a mistake on your ballot, you have a right to a new ballot. You can spoil up to three ballots. 8 NCAC 10B.0104
ASSISTANCE. You have the right to receive assistance from a family member in order to vote. If you have a disability or difficulty reading (due to language ability, vision, etc.), you have a right to assistance from anyone of your choice, except your employer or union agent. NCGS 163A-1139
CURBSIDE. If the polling place is difficult to reach due to your age or physical or mental disability, you have a right to vote in a vehicle at the curb or at the door of the polling place. NCGS 163A-1140
JUSTICE INVOLVED. If you are in jail for a misdemeanor, you still have a right to vote. If you were convicted of a felony, you can re-register to vote once you fully complete your sentence, including probation, post-release supervision, and parole. Fines, fees, and restitution alone do not make you ineligible to vote. NCGS 13-1
INTIMIDATION. You have a right to vote without being intimidated or forced to vote in a certain way. NCGS 163A-1385
IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE
You can register to vote if your signed registration form is postmarked 25 days before an election. See ncsbe.gov for the deadline. If you miss that deadline, you can register and vote on the same day during the 17-day Early Voting period before Election Day (you cannot do this on Election Day.) You must be a citizen, be at least 18 by the time of the election, and have lived in the county for 30 days before the election.
Go to an Early Voting site in your county, fill out a registration form, show photo ID and one of the following with a name and address: a gov’t document, pay stub, utility bill, bank statement, or student ID with a school document showing your address, and vote! To find an Early Voting site in your county, call 888-OUR- VOTE or visit demnc.co/voteearly.
Updated June 2023.