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, poll workers, and election officials where to find the NC statute (i.e. law) 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.
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 site in your county). It’s the law: NC General Statute (NCGS) 163-166.25
YOU NEED ID TO VOTE IN NORTH CAROLINA. You need to show an NC driver’s license or other “acceptable photo ID” to vote with a regular ballot. If you cannot show a voter photo ID when voting, you can still vote with a provisional ballot and ask the poll worker for an “ID Exception Form.” Learn more, including what types of IDs are acceptable and how to get a free voter photo ID, 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 are a registered voter 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 information if you need to take additional steps for your ballot to count and directions on how to learn if the provisional ballot was counted and if not, the reason it was not counted. NCGS 163-166.11
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 for 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 locations at visit demnc.co/voteearly. NCGS 163-82.15, N.C. Constitution, Article VI, Section 2(1)
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 163-82.15, 08 NCAC 10B.0103
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 163-166.8, 52 U.S.C. Section 10508
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 163-166.9, 08 NCAC 10B.0108
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. If the person is not released from jail or prison until fewer than 25 days before the election, they may apply to register to vote on Election Day. If the application is approved by the Elections Board, the person can vote on the same day. NCGS 163-82.6
INTIMIDATION. You have a right to vote without being intimidated or forced to vote in a certain way. NCGS 163-274, NCGS 163-275
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 demnc.co/upcoming 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 U.S. citizen, be at least 18 years old 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 (make sure it’s a current document!) with your name and residential address: NC driver’s license, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, other government document or a document issued from the institution (e.g. a school) that issued the photo ID that you use to satisfy the voter photo ID requirement. To find an early voting site in your county, call 888-OUR-VOTE or visit demnc.co/voteearly.
Updated June 2024.