Read the F*ing directions
for

Are registered to vote by October 9th at 5pm.

Request an absentee ballot by October 20th at 5pm.

Click here for information about accessible voting for folks with disabilities.

Click here for information about your eligibility if you have a criminal conviction.

Active duty military, military family member, or living overseas? You have additional voting options! Visit FVAP.GOV for details specific to your situation.

You must be registered to vote by October 9th at 5pm. North Carolina has same-day registration if you miss this deadline, but you’ll need to vote in person.

Your request for an absentee ballot must be received by October 20th at 5pm.

Exceptions for medical emergencies: under North Carolina law, if you or a family member become ill after 5pm the Tuesday before Election Day, you can request a ballot up until 5pm on Election Day. A family member can make the request for you. Contact your county’s Board of Elections office directly if you want to use this option, they’ll give you all the details.

Ballots must be RECEIVED by 7:30pm on Election Day — North Carolina used to offer a grace period but doesn’t anymore, so mail it early!

This is important: USPS recently changed its policies and won’t always postmark mail the same day it’s picked up from a mailbox — or even the day after. To guarantee a same-day postmark, you’ll need to go to a post office and ask for a manual postmark. All the more reason to mail things early!

Complete the ballot in the presence of two witnesses (or a notary). Put your ballot in the ballot envelope provided.

Sign the envelope where indicated, and seal it up. Your signature should match your voter registration.

Have your two witnesses (or a notary) sign the envelope where indicated. Witnesses also need to print their names and provide their full address. Generally anyone over the age of 18 can serve as your witnesses, except a candidate (unless the candidate is a near relative/legal guardian of yours; or you’re in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or adult care home and need the candidate’s assistance due to disability). If someone helps you fill out your ballot, see these guidelines.

Place a copy of an acceptable photo ID in the clear sleeve on the back of the ballot envelope, then put that whole package in the absentee return envelope and seal that up. If you’re not able to provide ID, complete the Photo ID Exception form (this will be included with your ballot package) and put that in the clear sleeve instead.

Put postage on it if you’re going to mail it (North Carolina recommends three stamps), then pop it in the mail ASAP — ballots must be received by Election Day.

Or you can drop it at a county Board of Elections office by 7:30pm on Election Day. If you need someone to drop your ballot off for you, it needs to be an immediate family member or legal guardian.

Or you can take it to a one-stop early voting site before 3pm on October 31st.

DO NOT take your ballot to your polling place on Election Day unless you want them to destroy it so you can vote normally in-person.