Make a Plan to Vote in North Carolina | Care in Action

Remember, whether you choose to vote early, vote by mail, or in-person, you have options to make voting safe and convenient for you. Learn how to make a plan that’s flexible for your schedule and to get information on when, where, and how to vote. Use our voting resources below to check if you’re registered and make a plan for voting in North Carolina.

Also check out our tips on how to vote safely in-person on election day — based on the CDC guidelines.

Check Your North Carolina Voter Registration

Before you show up on election day, check your registration to make sure you’re still registered.
Check the North Carolina elections dates & deadlines table below for your deadline to register to vote, or update your existing registration.
If you miss the registration deadline, you may be eligible to register and vote or make changes to your voter registration and vote during the early voting period.

North Carolina Elections Dates & Deadlines

County	Voter Registration Deadline	Absentee Ballot Request Deadline	Deadline for Absentee Ballot to be Received	Early Voting Window	Election Date
Camden, Chatham, Durham, Edgecombe, Hartnett, Iredell, Nash, Pasquotank, Richmond, Vance, Wake	Fri Sep 15, 2023	Tue Oct 3, 2023 5:00PM EDT	Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:00PM EDT	Thu Sep 21, 2023 to Sat Oct 7, 2023	Municipal Election Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie , Bladen, Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Camden, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Cherokee, Chowan, Cleveland, Columbus,, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Haywood, Hertford, Hoke, Jackson, Johnston, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union , Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin, Yancey	Fri Oct 13, 2023	Tue Oct 31, 2023 5:00PM EDT	Tue Nov 7, 2023 5:00PM EST	From Thu Oct 19, 2023 to Sat Nov 4, 2023	Municipal Election Tue Nov 7, 2023 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
City of Charlotte	Fri Oct 13, 2023	Tue Oct 31, 2023 5:00PM EDT	Tue Nov 7, 2023 5:00PM EST	From Thu Oct 19, 2023 to Sat Nov 4, 2023	General Election Tue Nov 7, 2023 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Clay, Craven, Currituck, Gates, Henderson, Hyde, Jones, Stanly, Surry, Person, Polk, Rutherford	No elections this year.	No elections this year.	No elections this year.	No elections this year.	No elections this year.

Please check the official website of North Carolina for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding voting deadlines.

Ways to Vote

In Person:

For Early Voting, check the North Carolina elections dates & deadlines table above. Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. Find a site in your county here.
On Election Day polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Check the deadlines and hours for your polling location.
Check your state’s COVID-19 Election information before you head to the polls. The information may change daily, so check often.

Vote By Absentee Ballot:

To vote by mail in North Carolina, request an absentee ballot as soon as possible. Check the North Carolina elections dates & deadlines table above for the deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you. Your request must be received by your county board of elections office by 5:00 p.m the Tuesday before Election Day.
Be sure to complete your absentee ballot well before your state’s deadlines. You can return your ballot to your county board of elections office by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day.
You may also return your absentee ballot to One-Stop Voting Site. See the instructions included with your absentee mailing.
If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before November 7 and received no later than three days after the election.
You may not return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day.

Be vote ready

Bookmark or print our Know Your Voting Rights information and bring it with you.
Bring a photo ID when voting in person in North Carolina. Read more about North Carolina ID requirements.
If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot.

Stay safe from COVID

Bring your own black ink pen, or a stylus or similar object for use with touchscreen voting machines.
Wash your hands before entering and after leaving the polling location.
Masks. The CDC recommends wearing a mask when indoors in public areas. Some counties might need you to remove your mask for identification purposes.
Bring hand sanitizer. After you cast your ballot, touching doors, or any other shared surfaces: sanitize.
Be prepared in case you need to wait. Bringing your own snacks and water!
Stay 6 feet apart. Just like at the grocery store, don’t shake hands, maintain social distancing.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in lined trash cans.

Track Your Ballot

One of the last steps in the voting process is making sure your ballot is received.
Once your ballot has been received, your vote officially counts.