Voter Guides

Participating in local and national elections

Whether you are a first-time voter or have done this before, you may have questions about how you can participate in local elections in the safest and most effective way possible.

How to Vote in 2022

For multilingual voter assistance from NCAAT in Action, call 919-591-2442

Important Dates

September 9

First day that absentee ballots are mailed to those who requested one

October 14

Deadline to register to vote for November 8th elections

October 20

Early voting and One Stop Registration begins

November 1

Deadline to request absentee ballot

November 5

Last Day of Early Voting

November 8

Election Day

You can request a mail-in ballot here from September 9 – November 1. Ballots must be dropped off at a one-stop early voting site in your county by November 5, or returned to your NC board of elections by November 8.
You can cast your vote during the Early Voting period at any polling place in your county. Here’s a list of Early Voting sites.
You can cast your vote on Election Day 6:30 am – 7:30 pm at your polling location. Find your polling location here.

Learn More About the N.C. Government

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to vote?

To register to vote in North Carolina, you must meet the following qualifications:

Be a U.S. citizen.
Live in the county of their/his/her registration and have resided there for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election.
Be at least 18 years old or will be by the date of the general election.
- 16- and 17-year-olds may pre-register to vote. Their registration will be processed once they turn 18.
Not serving a sentence for a felony conviction, including probation, parole, or post-release supervision. Learn more about this here.

I think I’m registered to vote, but I’m not sure…

You can also check your registration status through the Voter Search tool.

Can anyone request an absentee ballot?

Yes. North Carolina voters don’t need a special reason to request an absentee ballot. Any registered voter can request and receive a mail-in ballot. For non-military/overseas voters, an absentee ballot must be requested for each election in which a voter wants to vote by mail.

I need assistance in casting my vote. Can someone come with me?

Yes. In North Carolina, you have the right to receive assistance, as long as the person providing assistance is a member of the voter’s immediate family. Additionally, some voters can receive aid from a wider range of helpers. You can learn more here.

Do I have to show a photo ID at the polls?

No. As of September 2021, North Carolina voters are not required to show ID to vote. However, if you are a first-time voter or have moved to a new county, you may be asked to show ID or a document with your current name and address, examples of acceptable documents include a government-issued document, pay stub, utility bill, bank statement, or student ID with a school document showing your address. Find the latest updates here.

How can I vote early?

Any voter in the county can use any of the Early Voting sites in that county. You do not need an excuse to use Early Voting. Early Voting begins on October 20 and ends on November 5. You can find a list of Early Voting sites here. You can also register to vote at Early Voting sites during the Early Voting period.

When and where do I vote on Election Day?

You can find your polling location here. On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location. Polling locations are open 6:30 am – 7:30 pm. If you’re in line at 7:30 pm, you will be allowed to vote.

I’m having trouble voting.

As an eligible voter, you are guaranteed free, fair, and accessible elections. You have a right to vote without being intimidated or forced to vote in a certain way. If you have faced violations of your voting right, contact the following hotlines:

Democracy North Carolina Election Protection Hotline: 888-687-8683
NCAAT in Action hotline: 919-591-2442

I have another question that I don’t see on here.

We’re happy to help! Just email contact@ncaatinaction.org, and we’ll make sure to answer your question. Or call 919-591-2442

How to Help

NCAAT is committed to raising the visibility and voice of the AAPI population in North Carolina through building up and motivating an electorate throughout the state. One key way we achieve this goal is through voter outreach conducted in communities with high AAPI populations with the help of volunteers, particularly individuals from the local AAPI communities.

Join our effort to increase AAPI representation and voice in North Carolina together.