FAQ

Voting allows your voice to be heard. While there is a lot more focus on large federal elections, local elections are often the biggest determinants of your day-to-day life. Additionally, the more people that vote, the more politicians are able to be held accountable to their entire community, not just their supporters.

Check in about a minute on the NC State Board of Elections’ official Voter Search: enter your first and last name (adding your birth year or “Mecklenburg” narrows the results). It shows whether you’re registered, your party, your polling place, and your districts.

If you don’t find yourself, or something looks wrong, contact the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections at 704-336-2133.

In North Carolina, you must have applied to register 25 days before Election Day.

If you are voting early, you can register in person until early voting is over.

On Election Day, your polling place depends on your address. Look it up on the NC State Board of Elections’ official Voter Search.

During early voting (Thursday, October 15 through 3 p.m. Saturday, October 31), you can vote at any early voting site in your county. The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections lists every site with its address and hours.

Early voting allows you to cast your ballot before the official Election Day. Unlike on Election Day, you can register and vote at any early voting site in the county, not just your assigned polling place. The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections lists every site with its address and hours.

Request your ballot through the NC Absentee Ballot Portal or by filling out the Absentee Request Form (PDF). Your request must reach your county board of elections by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday two weeks before Election Day (October 20 this year).

Return your finished ballot by mail, or drop it off in person at your County Board of Elections office or at any early voting site in your county. It must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots can’t be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day.

Bring a photo ID. North Carolina voters are asked to show one when they check in, whether early or on Election Day. Most people use a driver’s license; a U.S. passport, a state ID from the NCDMV, a military or veterans ID, and approved student or government-employee IDs also work, among others. See the full list, including how expired IDs are treated, on the NC State Board of Elections’ Voter ID page.

No ID? You can still vote. You can fill out an ID Exception Form and vote a provisional ballot, or, if you just forgot your ID, bring it to the county elections office by noon on the fifth business day after Election Day (details). Registered voters can also get a free voter photo ID from the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections; no documents are needed.

Registering during early voting? Same-day registration requires proof of where you live, such as a North Carolina driver’s license, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document with your name and address (full list).

Parties are political groups or factions with the same common interests. A party’s platform is their list of issues and goals they plan to take action on, released every 4 years. The two major parties are the Republican party and Democratic party. Minor parties include the Libertarian party and Green party; minor parties typically have candidates in only some contests. In addition, candidates who do not feel aligned to any political party may run as Independents.

Ballot initiatives are public amendments or referendums that must be approved by a majority of voters in the state or city to pass. However, these can be worded trickily on the ballot, so make sure to read carefully!