To register to vote in North Carolina, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen
Citizenship documents are not required to register.
Be at least 16 years old to preregister
Must be 18 years old by Election Day to vote in a general election. 17-year-olds can vote in a primary election if they will be 18 by Election Day for the general election. Learn more
Live in North Carolina and in the precinct where you’ll vote for 30 days before Election Day
Not be serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole.
People with felony convictions have their voting rights reinstated after their sentence is complete (including probation and parole), but they must re-register to vote.
Not claim the right to vote in another state
Note
Citizens registering to vote in North Carolina for the first time must confirm their identity by providing either the last four digits of their Social Security number, their NC drivers license number, or their NC DMV ID number in box 3 on their voter registration application.
Voter registration FAQs
Do I need a photo ID to register?
Voters can register and vote with or without photo ID! The NC Voter Registration Application asks for an NC Driver’s License or DMV ID number OR the last 4 digits of the voter’s Social Security Number in Box 3. If a voter does not have access to the information at the time they fill out the form, they can check the box that says “I do not have a driver’s license/DMV ID or Social Security number.” The voter will have to bring proof of residency documentation with them the first time they vote.
For information about NC’s Voter ID requirements, visit youcanvote.org/voterid.
If voters have a photo ID that is approved for voting, they should bring it with them when they vote. If they do not have an ID from the approved list, they can either obtain a free photo ID from their county’s board of elections (they must already be registered to vote) OR fill out the Photo ID Exception Form when they go vote.
For information about NC’s Voter ID requirements, visit youcanvote.org/voterid.
If voters have a photo ID that is approved for voting, they should bring it with them when they vote. If they do not have an ID from the approved list, they can either obtain a free photo ID from their county’s board of elections (they must already be registered to vote) OR fill out the Photo ID Exception Form when they go vote.
I have a criminal record. Can I register?
Recent legal changes have made voter eligibility more difficult to navigate for justice-involved and formerly incarcerated individuals.
A citizen is eligible to vote even if:
• They have been convicted of a misdemeanor
• Are awaiting trial for a felony charge but not yet convicted
• Has finished the terms of their felony sentence and is “off papers” (including probation or parole).
Individuals who were registered prior to a felony conviction must re-register after completing the terms of their sentence.
For questions, see our “Locked Up? Know Your Rights!” (¿Encarcelado en Carolina del Norte? ¡Conozca sus derechos!) document, which walks potential voters through these eligibility rules.
A citizen is eligible to vote even if:
• They have been convicted of a misdemeanor
• Are awaiting trial for a felony charge but not yet convicted
• Has finished the terms of their felony sentence and is “off papers” (including probation or parole).
Individuals who were registered prior to a felony conviction must re-register after completing the terms of their sentence.
For questions, see our “Locked Up? Know Your Rights!” (¿Encarcelado en Carolina del Norte? ¡Conozca sus derechos!) document, which walks potential voters through these eligibility rules.
I’m experiencing homelessness. How do I register?
Experiencing homelessness? In box 4 of the NC Voter Registration Application, list the address where you stay most often, which can be a shelter address. If you don’t have a physical address, use box 6 to indicate where you usually sleep.
Don’t forget — you must provide a valid mailing address in box 5! This could be a shelter, family member’s house, friend’s house, or other location where you reliably receive mail.
Have questions? Call the NC Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-888-OUR-VOTE.
Don’t forget — you must provide a valid mailing address in box 5! This could be a shelter, family member’s house, friend’s house, or other location where you reliably receive mail.
Have questions? Call the NC Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-888-OUR-VOTE.
What happens after I register?
Once your voter registration form is submitted to your county’s board of elections (or online via the NC DMV’s self-service portal), you should receive your voter registration card in the mail. This card confirms that you are registered at the address listed on your registration form and includes which districts you will vote in (municipal, prosecutorial, school board, congressional, legislative). You DO NOT need to bring this card with you when you go vote.
If your voter registration is incomplete or if there is a problem with your form, you may instead receive a letter in the mail informing you of how to submit a new, corrected form. You may also receive a phone call or an email from your county board of elections to clarify any information they need to process your voter registration.
If you do not receive anything in the mail within one month of submitting your registration form, it’s possible that your mailing address was listed incorrectly on your form. You can check your registration and find out if your form was processed by visiting youcanvote.org/lookup or contacting your county’s Board of Elections.
If your voter registration is incomplete or if there is a problem with your form, you may instead receive a letter in the mail informing you of how to submit a new, corrected form. You may also receive a phone call or an email from your county board of elections to clarify any information they need to process your voter registration.
If you do not receive anything in the mail within one month of submitting your registration form, it’s possible that your mailing address was listed incorrectly on your form. You can check your registration and find out if your form was processed by visiting youcanvote.org/lookup or contacting your county’s Board of Elections.
