Voting FAQ: When, Where, and How?

CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION

VOTER ID INFO

Are you registered to vote?

Confirm Your Voter Registration

Click the button above to confirm your registration status online.
You can also register and vote on the same day during Early Voting! Click here for more details.
To register, you must:
- Be a US citizen
- Be at least 16 years old to preregister and 18 years old by Election Day (November 5, 2024), to VOTE
- Live in North Carolina and the precinct where you'll vote for 30 days before the election day
- You are not currently serving a felony sentence and you are not currently on probation or parole for a felony conviction. People who have felony convictions have their rights reinstated after sentence is complete (including probation & parole) but must re-register to vote.
- Not claim the right to vote in another state
- In 2024, citizens registering to vote for the first time in North Carolina must provide either the last 4 digits of their social security number or a NC drivers license or DMV ID number on their voter registration form to confirm their identity.
Learn about the candidates on your ballot! Visit VOTE411.org.
Find early voting locations and times. You can vote at ANY location in your county during early voting.
If you want to vote on Election Day, you must already be registered & go to your assigned polling location. Search for your Election Day polling site here!

Voter ID

If you have an ID, bring it with you when you go to vote. If you don’t have an accepted ID, ask for the Photo ID Exception Form when you go to the polls. Your ballot will count if you properly complete the Photo ID Exception Form. Learn more from the NCSBE.

Accepted IDs for voting in 2024:

Note: Voter photo ID is about your face! The address on your ID DOES NOT have to match your voter registration!

NC Drivers License
NC Non-driver ID
US Passport
US Military or Veteran ID
Tribal ID

NC Student ID*

NC Government Employee ID*
FREE ID from County Board of Elections
Out-of-State Drivers License (only if you registered to vote in NC within 90 days of the election)

*Some restrictions apply. Click here to see the full list of student and employee IDs approved for voting in 2024.

What to do if you….

You can get a free ID from your county’s board of elections if you are already registered to vote and have time before election day.
Don’t have an ID on election day? Ask for the Photo ID Exception Form! You will be given a provisional ballot and allowed to vote.
Forgot your ID? Go home and get it if there is still time to vote. Otherwise, vote a provisional ballot and bring the ID to the county board of elections office by the day before the county Day of Canvass (which occurs 10 days after the election). Click here to learn more from the NCSBE.
It doesn’t matter! As long as your ID has a photo that identifies you and is from the NCSBE’s approved list, you will be able to vote. The address on your ID DOES NOT have to match your voter registration.
If you registered to vote in North Carolina within 90 days of the election, you can use an out-of-state ID.
Over the age of 65? You can use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on your 65th birthday.
Under the age of 65? If your ID has been expired for one year or less then You Can Vote!
Some forms of ID will be valid regardless of the expiration or issuance date, including military or veterans ID cards, tribal enrollment cards, and ID cards issued by the US government or state of NC for a public assistance program. Click here to learn more from the NCSBE.
Bring it with you when you go to vote! The NCSBE has approved a list of 100+ student and employee IDs that can be used for voting.
If your ID does not look like you (or match how you currently present with regards to gender identity), you may obtain a free voter ID from your county board of elections. No documentation is required to obtain this free voter ID but you must already be registered to vote in your county. To be issued a free voter photo ID card, the voter must provide their name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number, and have their photo taken. Click here for more details.

Need Help Getting an ID?

Free voter IDs are now available from county boards of elections. No documentation is required! You must already be registered to vote in your county. To be issued a free voter photo ID card, the voter must provide their name, date of birth, and the last four numbers of their Social Security number, and have their photo taken. Click below for more details.

get a free voter id

Need help getting a Driver’s License, DMV State ID, or other underlying documents? You can get free help from VoteRiders:

Call or text VoteRiders’ helpline (English or Spanish): 866-ID-2-VOTE (866-432-8683)
Find information about NC ID on VoteRiders’ website
Email VoteRiders at helpline@voteriders.org
Ask questions through VoteRiders’ ChatBot on their website

VoteRiders is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that provides free help to any eligible citizen who needs an ID. They can help you get your ID/DL, including any underlying documents like a birth certificate or social security card, pay the birth certificate and DMV fees/costs (but not fines, reinstatement fees, insurance, etc.) and provide free transportation to/from the DMV and SSA offices.

Want to share this information? Visit our handouts page for printable election handouts.

printable handouts

WHAT’S ON MY BALLOT?

In 2024, there may be more than 20 offices on your ballot!

Select a category below to learn more or click here to download printable versions.

Who's On the Ballot

What Issues Matter to You?

Lawmakers make decisions about education, climate and the environment, the economy, public safety, civil rights, reproductive rights, public health, housing, and more. Click on an issue below to learn how local, state, and federal officials impact the issues you care about, or click here to download a printable versions.

WOB Issues