In 2018, NC voters approved a constitutional amendment to require a photo ID to vote, without knowing what forms of photo ID would be deemed acceptable by the NC General Assembly (NCGA). The voter photo ID bill the NCGA passed in December was vetoed by Gov Cooper; they overrode his veto. Two lawsuits were filed within a day of their override vote - one at the state level, one at the federal, and more have followed.
Never-ending lawsuits are still playing out, but based on a December 31, 2019, court ruling, NO PHOTO ID WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020, PRIMARY. We suggest checking the NC State Board of Elections website for updates before voting.
Most eligible voters can now register to vote online or make changes to their registration on the NC DMV website!
Important dates
Here are voter registration links for new and current NC voters:
Good resources for up-to-date voter information in NC:
Never-ending lawsuits are still playing out, but based on a December 31, 2019, court ruling, NO PHOTO ID WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020, PRIMARY. We suggest checking the NC State Board of Elections website for updates before voting.
Most eligible voters can now register to vote online or make changes to their registration on the NC DMV website!
Important dates
- October 9 - deadline for regular voter registration, including changes to your name or address.
- Absentee voting-by-mail requests are available now and must be received by your county Board of Elections by 5pm on October 27.
- October 15-31 - early voting. You can register to vote or update your registration during early voting, but NOT on November 3 election day. You must be registered to vote AT YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS, even if it's in the same precinct as your previous registration.
- November 3 - ELECTION DAY, polls are open 6:30am-7:30pm. Absentee voting-by-mail ballots must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) by your county Board of Elections by 5pm today.
Here are voter registration links for new and current NC voters:
- Register to vote in NC, qualifications and registration form
- Update your NC voter registration if your address or name changes, even if you're in the same local precinct
- Confirm your NC voter registration
- Request an absentee ballot by mail
- See your sample ballot
- Find your county's one-stop early voting sites and schedule
- Check your provisional ballot status
- Find your county Board of Elections
- Sign up with NC GoVote to be notified if your voter registration status changes.
Good resources for up-to-date voter information in NC: