Why Vote

Voting is fundamental to our representative democracy, the mechanism through which Americans make their preferences heard.  If you want to make a difference, voting is one of the most critical ways to work toward collective solutions that improve life for all of us.

Eligibility

To vote in North Carolina, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years of age
• Registered to vote
• A resident of North Carolina and have resided in your county for at least 30 days
• Not currently serving a felony conviction sentence

Check My Registration Status

Voter registration rolls are regularly maintained and updated, which includes removing the names of ineligible voters.  If you want to vote, confirm that your registration is current by clicking here. 

Polling Place Locations

For in-person voting, you must vote in the polling place assigned to the precinct for your address.  Click here to find your polling place.  Enter your address where indicated to search for your polling place location.

Vote by Mail

Click here to request a mail-in ballot and view directions on how to vote by mail.  Completed mail-in ballots must be received (not simply postmarked) by 7:30 pm on Election Day. 

Required ID

Photo ID is required to vote.  In most cases, voters use a driver’s license. If you do not have a driver’s license, you can get a free North Carolina Voter photo ID in two ways: 

• From your county board of elections (no documents required—just your name, Date of Birth, and last four of Social Security Number), or 
• From the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, which offers no-fee state ID cards. 

The ID is presented at check-in for in-person voting.  Mail-in ballots must be accompanied by a copy of an acceptable ID.  

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Check My Registration Status

Voter registration rolls are regularly maintained and updated, which includes removing the names of ineligible voters.  If you want to vote, confirm that your registration is current by clicking here.

How to Register

In North Carolina, you can register to vote online, by mail, or in person.  The standard deadline is 25 days before an election, but if you miss this deadline, you can also use same-day registration at any early voting site during the early voting period. This option is available only during early voting, not on Election Day.  You can use VOTE411 to register here within the standard deadline.

Register Online

If you have a North Carolina driver’s license or DMV-issued ID, you can register or update your existing registration online through the NC Division of Motor Vehicles website here. Name change updates, however, cannot be processed online.  Name changes must be made by mail or in person ahead of time or at the polls on Election Day.  

Register by Mail

1. Download the form:  Get the North Carolina Voter Registration Application from the North Carolina State Board of Elections  Registration forms are also available at public libraries, high Schools and Department of Social Services offices.
2. Fill out the form:  Make sure to include your NC driver’s license or ID card number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
3. Sign and date the form.  
4. Mail or hand deliver the completed form to your county’s Board of Elections office at the address noted below.

Mecklenburg:
Mecklenburg County Board of Elections
741 Kenilworth Avenue
Charlotte, NC  28204

Gaston:
Gaston County Board of Elections
410 West Franklin Blvd
Gastonia, NC  28052

Lincoln:
Lincoln County Board of Elections
451 Salem Church Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092

Union:
Union County Board of Elections
316-B East Windsor Street
Monroe, NC  28112

Iredell:
Iredell County Elections Board
203 Stockton Street
Statesville, NC 28677

Cabarrus:
Cabarrus County Board of Elections
369 Church Street North
Concord, NC 28026

Register in Person

You can register in person at your county Board of Elections office at the addresses noted above or any North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles office.

Same Day Registration

You can register and vote on the same day at an early voting site in your county. This option is available only during designated early voting, not on Election Day. You will need to provide proof of residence, such as a North Carolina driver’s license, government Photo ID with your current address, or a copy of a utility bill, bank statement or paycheck.

Voting by Independents in Primaries

In North Carolina, voters registered with a party can only vote in that party’s primary.  Voters registered as independents (not affiliated with any party) can choose which primary to vote in and can only vote in one primary per election.  As an independent, you can choose to vote in a party’s primary without officially changing your registration status.  You simply ask for that party’s ballot at your polling place to vote in that primary.  

Changed Address?

In North Carolina, the address on your photo ID does not have to match the address on your voter registration because officials use the photo to confirm your identity.  But it is important to keep your voter registration updated because your address determines your voting precinct and the specific ballot you receive.  Identify the poll site associated with your new address, and cast your ballot at that site.

Changed Name?

In North Carolina, the name on your photo ID must be the same or “substantially equivalent” to the name on your voter registration record.  You can update for name changes to your registration by mail or in person ahead of time or at the polls on Election Day.  Name changes cannot be processed online.

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What’s on Your Ballot?

To find out what candidates, initiatives and referendums will be on your specific ballot, click here and then click on the Find What’s On Your Ballot box.

Ballot Initiatives

For the November 4, 2025 election in Mecklenburg County, the key ballot measure is a proposed one percentage point increase in the sales tax to fund transportation projects including road improvements, a commuter rail project and bus transit enhancements.  Consult your county’s website to find a complete list of all ballot measures once ballots have been finalized closer to the election date.

Candidate Info

After clicking on the Find What’s On Your Ballot Box on www.VOTE411.org follow the links to more detailed information on your candidate choices.

VOTE411

VOTE411 is an interactive resource developed by the League of Women Voters as a “one-stop-shop” for election related information.  Click here to search for answers and guidance on questions not covered above.

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