NC Voters Bill of Rights
You have the right to vote
It’s the law, and the proof is in your hands! You’ll notice letters and numbers after each of your rights listed below. These tell lawyers and poll workers where to find the N.C. statute or legal document that protects your rights as a properly-registered voter. If you are not registered, check out the bottom section. You can download this information and print it to take with you at the link below.
See the voter registration FAQ page for more information, such as who can register to vote and more.
Hours
Your assigned Election Day polling place is open between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm. You must be allowed to vote if you are in line or inside the polling place by 7:30 pm (or in line or inside the polling place at the closing time of any Early Voting poll in your county). It’s the law: NC General Statute (NCGS) 163A-1130
Vote With or Without ID
Due to an April 2023 ruling by the NC Supreme Court, you now need to show an NC driver's license or other "acceptable photo ID" to vote with a regular ballot. However, you have other options if you do not have the acceptable forms of photo ID, such as completing an ID Exception Form and submitting a provisional ballot during in-person voting (see acceptable ID exceptions here).
Provisional Ballot
If any problem arises, you have a right to vote with a provisional ballot. For example, ask for a provisional ballot if you believe you have registered but your name is not on the rolls or if you are told that you are in the wrong precinct or if you do not have an "acceptable ID" to vote. You must also be given a way to find out if the provisional ballot was counted, and if not, the reason it was not counted. NCGS 163A-1142
Name Change
If your name has changed since you registered to vote, you have the right to vote, even if you have not reported your name change to election officials. NCGS 163A-880
If You Move
If you have moved within your county and have lived in your new location more than 30 days, you have the right to vote in your new precinct or at a central location. If you have lived in your new location less than 30 days, you must vote in your old precinct or cast a provisional ballot in your new precinct. If you have moved within your precinct, you can update your info at the polls and vote. If you move to a new county 30 or more days before Election Day, you must update your registration and vote in your new county of residence. Your last chance to update this information and vote is on the last day of Early Voting. If you move to your new county less than 30 days before Election Day, you must return to your previous county and vote at an Early Voting site or your old precinct. Find your county’s Early Voting locations at demnc.co/voteearly. NCGS 163A-878
Spoiled Ballot
If you make a mistake on your ballot, you have a right to a new ballot. You can spoil up to three ballots. 8 NCAC 10B.0104
Assistance
You have the right to receive assistance from a family member in order to vote. If you have a disability or difficulty reading (due to language ability, vision, etc.), you have a right to assistance from anyone of your choice, except your employer or union agent. NCGS 163A-1139
Been Locked Up?
If you are in jail for a misdemeanor, you still have a right to vote. If you were convicted of a felony, you can re-register to vote once you fully complete your sentence, including any parole or probation (restitution and fines do not affect voting eligibility if a criminal court has declared its sentence complete). NCGS 13-1.
Curbside
If the polling place is difficult to reach due to your age or physical disability, you have a right to vote in a vehicle at the curb or at the door of the polling place. NCGS 163A-1140
Intimidation
You have a right to vote without being intimidated or forced to vote in a certain way. NCGS 163A-1385
What to Do if You’re Not Registered
You can register to vote if your signed registration form is postmarked 25 days before an election. See ncsbe.gov for the deadline.
If you miss that deadline, you can register and vote on the same day during the 17-day Early Voting period before Election Day (you cannot do this on Election Day).
- You must be a citizen
- Be at least 18
- lived in the county for 30 days before the election.
- Just go to an Early Voting site in your county
- Fill out the registration form
- Show one of the following with a name and address a gov’t document, pay stub, utility bill, bank statement, or student ID with a school document showing your address, and then vote!
Register to Vote Online
