RALEIGH, N.C. — Eligible North Carolinians who want to cast a ballot by mail or on Election Day, Nov. 3, must register to vote by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, the State Board of Elections reminded residents as the regular registration window closes.
People who miss Friday’s deadline may still register and vote during early voting at any early voting site in their county. Same-day registrants must attest to eligibility, including U.S. citizenship, prove where they live and show an acceptable photo ID. Early voting begins Oct. 15 and ends Oct. 31, covering Oct. 15 through Oct. 31.
The regular registration deadline falls 25 days before an election. Paper applications must be received by a county board of elections or postmarked by Oct. 9. Residents with a North Carolina driver’s license or NCDMV identification card may also apply online, and people can register in person at NCDMV offices or when seeking services at certain state agencies.
Sam Hayes, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said there is still time to register for the midterms and that anyone who misses the Election Day registration cutoff can still register and vote during early voting. Residents generally may not register on Election Day itself except in limited cases such as new citizens or people whose voting rights were restored after the deadline.
Offices on the November ballot include one U.S. Senate seat, 14 U.S. House seats, one N.C. Supreme Court seat, three Court of Appeals seats and all General Assembly seats. Voters will also need a photo ID at the polls. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. Oct. 20, and mail ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Military and overseas voters follow different registration and absentee deadlines.
