#MakeAVotingPlan: North Carolina

As the 2020 General Election approaches, SCSJ has created a one-stop digital hub to provide
North Carolinians with all of the information they will need to vote, from checking to see if they’re
registered to vote to the different ways to vote – especially in the midst of a pandemic. See the
full list and step-by-step process below, or jump directly to a specific section:

I. Who Can Register to Vote in NC?

II. How Will You Vote?
III. When Will You Vote?
IV. Who Is On My Ballot?
V. Voting While Overseas in the Military
VI. Want to Work the Polls?
VII. Provisional Voting
VIII. Voter Accessibility
IX. Key Websites and Additional Resources
X. FAQs
I. Who Can Register to Vote in NC?
a. You must be:
o 18 or older by Election Day (November 3rd, 2020)
o A U.S. citizen
o A North Carolina resident (including students attending college in NC, and
people who are homeless)
o You must not be a convicted felon currently serving a prison term, parole,
or probation. After completing all the terms of your sentence (including
payment of all fines and fees) you can re-register to vote.
 More information on eligibility:
https://www.ncsbe.gov/Portals/0/Documents/VotingRightsGuide_
CriminalJusticeSystem.pdf
o You do not need to have a government-issued ID of any kind to register.
But if you don't list on your registration application your NC driver's
license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number, then
the first time you vote you'll need to show a document with your name on
it such as a current utility bill, bank statement, government check,
paycheck, or vehicle registration.

b. Am I registered to vote?
o Check your registration status: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/
o If not, you can register online or by filling out a paper registration form by
October 9, 2020 (You can register and vote during the Early Voting
period—October 15th-31st)
 Paper registration form and version en Espanol
• Be sure to complete all sections highlighted in red
• Mail this form to:
o NC State Board of Elections
P.O. Box 27255
Raleigh, NC 27611-7255
o OR deliver this registration form by mail or in
person to your County Board of Elections Office
 Online registration
• https://payments.ncdot.gov/

II. How Will You Vote?

a. Vote by Mail
i. In order to vote by mail, you must request an absentee ballot (Formulario
Estatal de Solicitud para la Boleta del Voto en Ausencia). The deadline to
request an absentee ballot is 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 27th. Note
that the State Board of Elections (SBOE) or your county BOE must
receive it by October 27th. They will not accept it if it is received after this
date, even if it is postmarked on October 27th.
ii. When filling out your absentee ballot request form, you will need:
1. The name and date of birth of the voter
2. The residential address of the voter (where the voter is registered
to vote)
3. One of the following identification numbers for the voter:
a. North Carolina driver’s license
 b. North Carolina special identification card for non-drivers
c. Last four digits of Social Security Number
4. The address where the voter wants the ballot to be mailed (if
different from the residential address)
5. The name and address of the voter’s near relative or verifiable
legal guardian if that individual is making the request
6. The signature of the voter or the signature of the voter’s near
relative or legal guardian if that individual is making the request
7. If a person is eligible to receive assistance (blind, disabled, or
unable to read or write, but is not a near relative or legal
guardian), the person assisting them must also print their name
and address on the form.
iii. Complete your voting ballot with your choices in the presence of one adult
witness (can be a notary public) who is at least 18 years old and who is
not a candidate in the election.
1. The voter and witness must each complete and sign the certificate
on the return envelope and provide their addresses. Ensure all
parts of the certificate form on the envelope are filled out,
including your signature.
iv. There are different options to return your absentee ballot:
1. You may return your completed absentee ballot by mail to your
County Board of Elections. It must be postmarked by 5:00 pm on
Election Day (November 3rd) and received by 5:00 pm on the third
day after the election.
2. You may also return your completed absentee ballot to any Early
Voting site during operating hours.
b. Vote Early [In Person] (you can register to vote and vote at the same time)
i. You can vote early in North Carolina from October 15th to October 31st,
2020
ii. Find your early voting location and operating hours
iii. Did you miss the deadline to register? You’re in luck because you can still
register to vote and vote at the same time, which is called same-day
registration
1. To use same-day registration at an Early Voting site, you will need
one of the following:
a. NC Driver’s License
b. Other government photo ID with name and current address
c. Utility bill, bank statement, or payroll stub with name and
current address
d. Student photo ID with a school document showing the
student’s address
e. Any document from any government agency with the
voter’s name and current address
c. Vote on Election Day [In Person]
i. Election Day this year is Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020
ii. Check your polling location: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/PPLkup/

III. When Will You Vote?

a. Absentee Ballot
 i. Beginning September 4th, 2020, ballots will be mailed by County Boards
of Elections to voters who have returned a complete absentee ballot
request form.
ii. Once you receive your absentee ballot, ensure you fill out all the required
fields and send it in as soon as you can. You can mail it (see above for
address), return it to your County BOE, or submit it during early voting.
b. Early Voting
i. Check with your County BOE for operating times and locations
• Check with your employer as they may let you vote during working
hours
• Choose the day and time that works best for you
• Mark your calendar!
c. Election Day
i. Ensure you know your polling location
ii. Plan ahead for the time of day you will go

**National Vote Early Day is Saturday, October 24th, 2020**

• Learn more: https://voteearlyday.org/

IV. Who Is On My Ballot?

a. Visit the State Board of Elections Voter Search page
b. Enter the required fields, including your First Name, Last Name, and Voter Status
c. Click “Search.” The system will display a list of matching voter names and the
county and city/town where that voter is registered.
d. Click on the name from the list that matches yours. The system will display your
voter information, including your precinct, congressional district, NC Senate
district, NC House district, county commissioner district, etc.
e. Click the blue band labeled “Sample Ballots.” Under “Election” you will see the
name of the current/next election. To the right of that, under “Ballot(s),” you will
see a link to a sample ballot for the precinct where you live if an election is
pending or underway and a sample ballot has been assigned. If a link to a
sample ballot appears, click the link to display the ballot as a PDF, which you can
download and print if desired.
f. What will be on the ballot in NC?
i. View this chart from You Can Vote

V. Voting While Overseas in the Military

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is a federal law that
requires states to allow certain voters who are absent from their county of residence to have
special rights that provide an expedited means for them to register and vote by mail-in absentee
ballot. In order to qualify under the provisions of UOCAVA in this state, a voter must be a legal
resident of North Carolina. Citizens covered by UOCAVA include:
• A member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine
Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty
• A member of the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health
Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration of the United States
 • A member of the National Guard or state militia unit who is on activated status
• A spouse or dependent of a member of a uniformed service as listed above
• U.S. citizens residing outside the United States

The two special ways to register and vote for military and overseas voters are the Federal
Postcard Application (FPCA) and the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

Federal Voting Assistance Project (FVAP) links:

• FVAP.gov homepage
• Election Materials (Including FPCA/FWAB printable forms)
• Election Official Information (Guides for Processing Voting Materials / Sending Ballots
/ Election Official Online Training)
• Voting Assistance Guide

VI. Want to Work the Polls?

Poll workers play an important role in our elections. In NC, poll workers receive compensation.

• In order to become a poll worker, you must:

o Be registered to vote in North Carolina
o Be at least 18 years of age
o Be a resident of state and county for 30 days prior to the election BUT the
NCSBE is making an exception this year because of the shortage of poll
workers!
o Complete required training, exam, and certification
o Students 17 years of age with county residency may be appointed if they are
enrolled in high school and have consent from a parent
• To apply to become a poll worker contact your County BOE or fill out this interest
form.

**National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is September 1st, 2020**

• Learn more: www.eac.gov/help-america-vote

VII. Provisional Voting

If you are asked to vote a provisional ballot, that ballot will be held aside until you can prove
your eligibility to vote. Examples of reasons for provisional voting:

• There’s no record of your registration

• You moved to a different precinct and didn't report the change within 30 days before
the election
• You were previously registered in the county but the registration was canceled
• Your address can’t be verified in the lookup files
• You’re trying to vote at the incorrect precinct
• The records indicate you already voted in this election
• Voting during extended hours on Election Day
You will receive a PIN number. You can begin checking the status of your ballot 10 days
after the election.

• There are three ways to check the status of a provisional vote:

o Online: Provisional Ballot Lookup
o Call (919) 733-7173 or (866) 522-4723
o Call your local County Board of Elections office

VIII. Voter Accessibility

Polling sites are required to be accessible to all voters. Voters with disabilities or older voters
may require the removal of barriers at polling places or registration sites in order to make the
voting experience accessible to them. Many of the current accessibility stipulations were
codified in the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002. For more information on your rights
and how NC BOE complies with HAVA, visit www.ncsbe.gov/voting-accessibility.

Got questions? We have voting answers! Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE

IX. Key Websites and Additional Resources

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice: AAJC builds political power by increasing the
voting power of the Asian American electorate at the regional and national level.
• Black Voters Matter: Black Voters Matter’s goal is to increase power in marginalized,
predominantly Black communities. Effective voting allows a community to determine
its own destiny.
• Common Cause North Carolina: Building a democracy that’s fair, vibrant and
inclusive for all. Common Cause North Carolina’s strength comes from citizens
across North Carolina standing together to hold power accountable.
• Democracy North Carolina: Democracy North Carolina is a non-partisan organization
that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase voter participation, reduce
the influence of big money in politics and achieve a government that is truly of the
people, by the people and for the people. Democracy NC grew out of Democracy
South which began as a project of the Institute for Southern Studies.
• Election Protection: The national, non-partisan Election Protection coalition works
year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that
vote count. Made up of more than 100 local, state, and national partners, Election
Protection uses a wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance and defend
the right to vote.
• Fair Elections Center: Fair Elections Center is a national, non-partisan voting rights
and election reform 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C. FEC’s mission
is to use litigation and advocacy to remove barriers to registration and voting,
particularly those disenfranchising underrepresented and marginalized communities,
and to improve election administration.
• League of Women Voters of North Carolina: The League of Women Voters
encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase
understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through
education and advocacy.
• Let America Vote: Let America Vote advocates for pro-voter policies that make the
process more reasonable. Through online and grassroots organizing, an aggressive
 earned media strategy, and advertising campaigns, Let America Vote plays a crucial
role among the existing network of organizations fighting for voting rights.
• Movement Voter Project: Movement Voter Project works to strengthen progressive
power at all levels of government by helping donors – big and small – support the
best and most promising local community-based organizations in key states, with a
focus on youth and communities of color.
• North Carolina State Board of Elections: The State Board of Elections (State
Board) is the state agency charged with the administration of the elections
process and campaign finance disclosure and compliance. The state's
100 County Boards of Elections conduct local elections, operate voting sites,
maintain voter registration lists and handle numerous aspects of election
administration. The office of the State Board works in conjunction with County
Boards of Elections offices to ensure that elections are conducted lawfully and
fairly.
• North Carolina Voter Guide: The NC Voter Guide is a public service provided
by Common Cause North Carolina. For 18 years, the NC Voter Guide has given
voters facts on candidates and elections in North Carolina.
• Spread The Vote: Spread The Vote helps members of our communities empower
themselves to be heard at the polls: with IDs, registration, education, and turnout.
• The 100 Million Project: The 100 Million Project is a comprehensive national study of
the non-voting adult population in the United States and aims to understand citizen
disengagement from the political process.
• USA.gov: USA.gov’s mission is to create and organize timely, needed government
information and services and make them accessible anytime, anywhere, via your
channel of choice.
• U.S. Election Assistance Commission: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission
(EAC) was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). EAC is an
independent, bipartisan commission charged with developing guidance to meet
HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a
national clearinghouse of information on election administration. EAC also accredits
testing laboratories and certifies voting systems, as well as audits the use of HAVA
funds. Other responsibilities include maintaining the national mail voter registration
form developed in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
• Vote.gov: Register to vote.
• Vote 411: Launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF)
in October of 2006, VOTE411.org is a "one-stop-shop" for election-related
information.
• When We All Vote: When We All Vote is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that is
on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age
voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and
through strategic partnerships to reach every American.

North Carolina Department of State

State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement
430 N. Salisbury St
PO Box 27255
Raleigh 27611-7255
Phone number: 913-814-0700
Fax number: 919-715-0315
elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov
www.ncsbe.gov

X. FAQs:
1. Do I need an ID to vote in NC?

No, you do not need an ID to vote. You would need an ID if you would like to register to vote
and vote during Same-Day Registration or you failed to provide your NC driver’s license number
or the last four digits of your Social Security number when you registered to vote, and this is
your first time voting since registering to vote.

2. Who can vote by absentee ballot?

Any registered voter in North Carolina can vote absentee.

3. When is in-person early voting?

October 15th – October 31st.

4. How do I request an absentee ballot?

Download a request form from the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBOE) website. Starting
September 1st, the NCSBOE website will have a special request portal.

5. What’s the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?

5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 27th – though it’s best to request it well before that date.

6. Who can I request an absentee ballot for, other than myself?

Only a close relative, defined as a spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child,
grandchild, mother- or father-in-law, daughter- or son-in-law, step-parent, or step-child.

7. When will absentee ballots be mailed out?

Starting on Friday, September 4th.

8. How many witnesses do I need to complete the absentee ballot?

Only one. Mark your ballot in the presence of that witness.

9. When is the deadline for returning absentee ballots?

The ballot has to be postmarked by Election Day (Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020). It has to be
received by the County Board of Elections by three days after the election (by 5:00 pm) at the
latest.

10. Where can I return my absentee ballot?

Mail it to your County Board of Elections or physically drop it off at an early voting site during
their hours of operation.

Read more FAQs about voting by mail in North Carolina on the NCSBOE website, and about
voting more generally at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission website.

Sources:

https://politicalcharge.org/2019/10/30/make-a-plan-to-vote-3-steps-to-boost-turnout/
https://campaignlegal.org/restoreyourvote
https://www.vote411.org/
https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/home.htm
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article245022555.html?
https://www.ncsbe.gov/index.html
https://www.eac.gov/