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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
Pack the Polls

Register to Vote

So you're gearing up to vote but need to register or update your registration? You're in the right place.

Voter Registration Form

If you already know what to do, and you are ready to get started, you have two options:

Otherwise, and for more information on how to submit your registration, and what the requirements are, please continue reading.

Who can register to vote?

The following are the requirements for registering to vote in North Carolina:

  • You are a citizen of the United States of America
  • You are 18 years of age, or will be 18 years of age by the date of the next election. You may register to vote if you are 16 years of age or older, and if you’ll turn 18 by Election Day.
  • You have been a legal resident in the county where you will vote for at least 30 days before the date of the next election.
  • You must not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction (including probation or parole). If a prospective voter has previously been convicted of a felony, their citizenship rights must be restored. For more information on voting rights for those in the North Carolina criminal justice system, click here.

When is the registration deadline?

Click here to learn more about voter registration deadlines. The civilian voter registration deadline is February 9 at 5:00pm, 25 days before Election Day.

Out-of-State and Non-Local Students

Consider voting in Wake County! If you are an out-of-state student living in Wake County, we encourage you to consider registering to vote and participating in local, statewide, and general elections in North Carolina. During your time here as a student, your voice matters in deciding the local policy makers, so we invite you to exercise it here while you’re here!

If you are inclined to vote in your home district rather than in Wake County, consider voting via an absentee ballot! You can find information about it in our Voting Method Options page here.

The absentee ballot process is mandated to exist as an option by state and local boards or commissions. Out-of-state and non-local students who are interested in this option are encouraged to check with their location’s board of elections or equivalent office to ensure they are following all policies and procedures for submitting an absentee ballot. In most cases, absentee ballots must be requested weeks prior to the election date — in the 2024 Primaries, the deadline is February 27 at 5:00pm, but we recommend you request MUCH earlier to give yourself wiggle room in case any roadblocks come up. Click here for a helpful tool to figure out what you need in order to vote absentee.

How do I register to vote?

Online Registration for DMV Customers

Those who are existing customers with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (those with a North Carolina driver’s license or other valid ID issued by the North Carolina DMV) may register to vote or update their registration online. Click here and scroll down to learn more about online voter registration.

Physical Registration outside of Early Voting

If you are not a customer of the North Carolina DMV, you can fill out a voting registration application and mail or hand-deliver it to the North Carolina Board of Elections office.

Instructions are included with the form, but if you would prefer following along a walk-through, the video below uses Ms. Wuf as an example and includes helpful tips.

Please note that the last line of the address for the Board of Elections in the video is incorrect. The full address should be:

NC State Board of Elections
P.O. Box 27255
Raleigh, NC 27611-7255

Register and Vote at Early Voting

Early voting is commonly also called “One-Stop (Early) Voting.” This is because individuals may register and vote at the same time during the early voting period. If you plan to register and vote during the early voting period on location, please note the following required documents that you will need to present to a poll worker in order to register and vote:

NC State Students

  • Bring your student ID
  • Click here to follow the instructions to show a letter from your MyPack Portal on your mobile device, or print it out and bring it with you to the polls.

Faculty, Staff and Other Voters

  • Bring a proof of residency document that includes your name and current address. Common documents include:
    • North Carolina driver’s license
    • Photo identification from a government agency
    • A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document

For more information about the requirements for participating in one-stop early voting, read more here.

Questions?

Have questions or concerns about Pack the Polls, this site, or voting in general? Email us at packthepolls@ncsu.edu or submit a question to our Google Form and we will respond to you as soon as possible!