At You Can Vote, we find the best way to start a conversation with a voter is through questions that cause them to stop and think, such as, “Have you moved since you last voted?” or, “Do you know the early voting sites for the next election?”

Once you engage with a voter, you may encounter common responses such as, “I can’t vote” or, “I don’t vote because it doesn’t matter.” The “Eligible Eight” Best Practice Responses can help you figure out what to say to move past initial disinterest or confusion. Visit youcanvote.org/handouts to download the latest version.

Always use the latest version of the voter registration form and fill it out in black ink. All required boxes must be complete and the form must be signed and dated by the voter. Make sure the voter checks the eligibility boxes at the top of the form and includes their full legal name.

Students can register using their campus address in box 4 and a separate mailing address anywhere in the U.S., if needed. Visit youcanvote.org/campus to find campus address guides.

Click here to view our tips to correctly fill out the 2025 NC Voter Registration Form or visit youcanvote.org/register for more details.

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.

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.

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.

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.