Why do we have to vote Each Year? 
In North Carolina voting takes place for Municipal elections on the ODD numbered years and voting for the Federal, State, and County elections takes place on the EVEN numbered years. Additionally, the following TERM conditions apply: 
* US President - Term of 4 years, term limit of 2 terms 
* US Senate - Term of 6 years, no term limit, 2 Senators per State, terms overlap such that both Senators are not elected within the same year. 
* US House of Representatives - Term of 2 years, no term limit 
* Governor - Term of 4 years, term limit of 2 terms 
* Other State Officials - Term of 4 years, no term limit 
* State Senate and State House - Term of 2 years, no term limit 
* County Officials - Term varies - term limits vary 

When you put all of these conditions together it means that here in NC we will be having an election for some elected office EVERY year !

Polls are GENERALLY open on election day from 6:30 AM until 7:30 PM (however this can vary by COUNTY and Precinct depending on several factors) It is advisable to check with your local County Board of Elections office to know your local election day schedule. 

What are the different types of Elections? 
In a Primary Election you Nominate party candidates and in a General Election you Elect officials. In Partisan Primaries, you vote only the primary of the party with which you are affiliated. At this time, the Democrat and Republican partied allow unaffiliated voters to vote in their primaries. 

Who Can Register to Vote? 
You can register to vote in any North Carolina County if you are: 
* A citizen of the United States, and 
* A person 18 years of age or older, or will be 18 by the date of the next general election, and 
* A legal resident of the county you are registering within, at least 30 days by the date of the next election. 

You must register or re-register if you: 
* Have never registered in the county you intend to vote within, or 
* Have had your registration in the county you intend to vote within cancelled because you had moved out of the county, or 
* Have ever been convicted of a felony. 

Where Can I Register to Vote? 
You can register to vote, make change to your registration or obtain a mail-in registration form at the County Board of Elections Office in the county you intend to vote within. Additionally, (in some counties, but not all ) at: 
* A public library, 
* The Department of Motor Vehicles, 
* Some Public Agencies, 
* On the internet 

 Forms may be submitted by facsimile transmission, as long as a permanent copy of the completed, signed form is delivered to the county board no later than 20 days before the election. 

When Do I Need to Register? 
* If mailed, the registration form must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election 
* If hand delivered or faxed, the registration form must be received no later than 5:00PM on the 25th day prior to the election. 

Do I Have to Declare a Party? 
Party affiliation determines the primary in which a voter is eligible to vote. You may register with the Democrat, Republican or Libertarian parties, or you may register as unaffiliated. Unaffiliated voters may vote in a party primary if authorized by that party. If you do not declare a party you will be registered as unaffiliated. 

Do I Have to Contact the Board of Elections if I Want to Change My Registration Information? 
Yes, if You: 
* Have moved within the County since you registered in the County (it is a violation of state law to return to your old precinct and vote if you have moved more than 30 days) 
* Have changed your name 
* Want to change your party affiliation 

You may change your address, name or party by filling out the back of your voter information card and returning it to the elections office or filling out a mail-in registration form. This information must be received by registration deadlines for elections. Also, report of a change of address within NC Counties may be submitted by facsimile transmission, so long as a permanent copy of the completed and signed form is delivered to the county elections office no later than 20 days before the election. 

What if I Moved but Forgot to update my Registration Record? 
If you fail to change your address by the registration deadline, on election day go to your old precinct and fill out an election day transfer form. Take the form to your new precinct where you will be allowed to vote. To avoid this procedure change your address by the registration deadline. 

Where do I Vote? 
You will be assigned to a precinct according to where you live. After you register or change, your address, the elections office will mail you a voter information card giving you the location of the voting place in your precinct. Keep the card because it also lists the districts in which you reside. Also, if you move within the County, you may use this card to change your address by completing the new information, signing and mailing it to the elections office. 

Can I Vote Early?
 Yes, "no-excuse" absentee voting is available in all elections. 
* By mail - A voter or near relative requests an application by mail. The voter fills out the application and the ballot and returns both to the elections office. 
* In person -By the one-stop method, the voter comes to a "one-stop" voting site, fills out an application and casts the ballot there. Either way, a voter does not have to provide a reason for voting absentee. 

No- excuse absentee voting will be permitted for all elections. A written request must be received by the office no later than Tuesday prior to election day. One-stop absentee voting extends from the third Thursday before the election unti1 1:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the election. For additional information on absentee voting call your local County Board of Elections office.





Corrections and Inaccuracies:
Although we strive for perfection,  we acknowledge our ultimate fallibility, should you observe any "broken links", omissions, errors, etc., we would appreciate you pointing them out so we can correct them.  Click on the link above and drop us an e-mail !