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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
Pack the Polls

Cast Your Vote

Voters in North Carolina have three ways to cast their ballots: voting early, submitting an absentee ballot, or voting on Election Day.

Upcoming Elections

Be an Informed Voter

Voting in an election is much like preparing to take an exam, you have to plan and be prepared before stepping into the voting booth. Depending on the election and where you live, your ballot may have federal offices, state-wide offices, city and county government offices, judiciary elections, state constitutional amendments, and/or local bond referendums. But don’t worry, it is easy to prepare by following these steps:

  • Review your Sample Ballot: Prior to the election, the North Carolina State Board of Elections makes available to voters their sample ballot. You can retrieve this by visiting this link and selecting “Sample Ballots.”
  • Research your Ballot: There are a number of voting resources out there for you to utilize to learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot, such as your local newspaper, or independent newspaper/magazine. In addition, there are a number of great non-partisan resources to also access online. One non-partisan resource we recommend is from the League of Women Voters is Vote411.org.
  • Bring your notes: After you have researched your ballot, you do no’t have to worry about memorizing your choices, you can bring your notes into the voting booth. While it is advisable to print out your notes, you are able to bring in your phone, but be sure not to use it to take any photos or have any other electronic communication as that is not permitted while in the voting enclosure.

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. Registered voters are not required to show an ID. If you plan to both register and vote during the early voting period on location, please note the following registration requirements:

NC State Students

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.

Early Voting at NC State

NC State University is proud to host an early voting site in Talley Student Union for the upcoming general elections from October 20 to November 5, 2022. Check back soon for more information on parking and directions to Talley!

Absentee Ballot Voting

In North Carolina, absentee voting includes Early Voting, voting by mail, and voting from another state or abroad to your registered county. All registered voters are qualified to vote absentee if they choose. Voters are responsible for following all guidelines and policies for absentee voting set out by their registered Board of Elections.

Who can vote absentee?

All registered voters may vote absentee. Voting absentee is the process by which voters cast their ballots via the mail. Absentee ballots must be requested from your board of elections.

How do I vote absentee?

State law requires that voters submit the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Request Form. Ballots must be delivered to your county Board of Elections by 5 p.m. on Election Day.

Ballots may be submitted at an early voting location. To submit in person, you must stand in line with the rest of the voters and hand your voted absentee ballot, sealed in the return envelope, to the elections official at the registration table, and fill out an absentee ballot return log. If hand-delivering, it must be logged in when delivered. Drop-boxes are not permitted under North Carolina Law.

Where do I request an absentee ballot form?

Click here to request a form and find out more information about voting absentee.

Was my absentee ballot counted?

If you are registered in North Carolina, the State Board of Elections launched a virtual portal for tracking your absentee ballot. Click here to visit the portal.

Election Day Voting

Voters will not be required to show photo ID for the 2022 Primary Election. On September 17, 2021, a three-judge panel concluded that voter ID laws violated the North Carolina Constitution, meaning that voters are no longer required to show photo ID in elections. This decision will remain in place until further order of the court. For more information visit the State Board of Elections website: www.ncsbe.gov.

Voters who plan to vote on Election Day must vote at their designated precinct.

Upcoming Elections Find Your Polling Location

Questions

Submit to our Google Form and we will respond to you as soon as possible!