The path to the polls

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The path to the polls

The two-year journey from the primaries to the polls is almost over – but not until you cast your vote! Follow along with this handy guide to make sure you have what it takes to make your voice heard.

Can I vote?

If you’re a U.S. citizen, a resident of the county for at least 30 days and 18 years old by Tuesday, Nov. 8, you can, provided that you are not on probation or parole for a felony conviction, in jail for a felony conviction, or registered in another county or state.

Am I registered?

Check to see if you’re already registered by visiting https://vt.ncsbe.gov/voter_search_public. Here you can also find your polling place, your jurisdictions, and a sample ballot.

How do I register?

In North Carolina, the deadline to register for the General Election is Friday, Oct. 14. Before close of business on that day, stop by your county board of elections office and fill out a voter registration form. You should probably bring an ID with you, just in case you need it.

Or, download a voter registration form by visiting http://bit.ly/1PmgGwa. Fill it out completely, and mail it to your local county board of elections office, but don’t dally – applications not postmarked by Oct. 14 will not be counted.

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When do I vote?

Polls across North Carolina will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8. If you’re registered, enter your information into the form at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/ voter_search_public to locate your polling place.

Can I vote early?

Yes. Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 20 and ends Saturday, Nov. 5. Early voting is usually available at your county elections board office, and sometimes at other sites in your county as well. Ask your county elections board office for a list of locations and times.

Can I vote absentee?

Yes – no reason or excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot. You (or a “near relative”) can request an absentee ballot from your county board of elections office by completing an application.

To complete the application, you’ll need an ID, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or a bank statement, a cable, electric, phone, or water bill, a pay stub, or a document from any government agency with your name and address on it.

Your application must be returned by email, fax, mail or in person before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Within a few days, you should then receive in the mail your balloting materials. Your materials can not be picked up in person.

Your completed ballot must be hand-delivered to the elections board office only by the voter or near relative by 5 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 8, OR be postmarked on or before that date and received by the elections board by 5 p.m. on Friday Nov. 8 to be counted.

Overseas citizens and military personnel have more flexible deadlines; if this applies to you, learn more at www.ncsbe.gov.

Do I need an ID to vote at the polls?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: Yes, but only if you’re a new voter, and even then only if officials can’t verify the ID number you issued on your registration form, in which case you may be asked at the polls to produce that ID, or a bank statement, a cable, electric, phone, or water bill, a pay stub, or a document from any government agency with your name and address on it. Long story short – you should probably bring an ID with you, just in case you need it.