Registering to vote in North Carolina is a process that can be done online, by mail, or in person.
For those planning to vote in the November 2026 general election, the regular deadline to register is Friday, October 9 at 5 p.m.
But even after that date, some unregistered voters can still register if they vote during the early voting period.
Here we explain, step by step, how to register to vote.
First: Can you register to vote in North Carolina?
To register in North Carolina you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Live in the county where you want to register and have resided there for at least 30 days before election day.
- Must be at least 18 years old by election day. Those aged 16 and 17 can pre-register.
- Not currently serving a sentence for a serious crime, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole.
If you are already registered to vote at your current address, you do not need to re-register. If you are unsure whether you are already registered, at the end of this article you will find a link to the North Carolina State Board of Elections' official tool to check your voter registration information.
>>> Check if you are registered to vote in North Carolina
Choose how to register to vote: online, by mail, or in person
North Carolina offers several options for registering: online, by mail, or in person.
Online
If you have a North Carolina driver's license or an ID issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), you can complete the voter registration application online. At the end of this article You will find a direct link to the official NCDMV website to complete the process.
Voter registration is free. The online application also allows you to update your address or party affiliation.
Important: The DMV online service does not allow you to change your name. You must use another registration method to do so.
By mail or in person
You can also download the North Carolina voter registration application, available in English and Spanish, fill it out, print it, and sign it.
There is an option in Spanish here. You just have to access this. Voter Registration Application in Spanish.
If this is your first time registering in your county, you must mail the original signed application or deliver it in person.
The application must be sent to your county's board of elections.
What documents will you need to register to vote?
If you use the paper application, you will need to provide basic information such as:
- Legal name.
- Birthdate.
- Address where you live.
- County where you reside.
- North Carolina driver's license number or DMV identification.
You can provide the last four digits of your Social Security number if you don't have a DMV ID. If you don't have either of those numbers, the application includes an option to indicate that.
Your residential address is important because it determines where you are registered to vote.
If you don't have a physical address, the application allows you to explain where you live or sleep using nearby streets or intersections and a map. You will also need a mailing address where the electoral board can send you correspondence.
Choose a party affiliation
The application also allows you to choose a party affiliation.
North Carolina recognizes four political parties: Democratic, Green, Libertarian, and Republican. You can also register as unaffiliated.
If you choose not to join a party, you will appear on the electoral register as an unaffiliated voter.
Your party affiliation can be important during the primary elections, so it's worth checking. the current rules before a primary school.
Sign the voter registration application
Before submitting the application, check that you have completed all the required fields.
If you use the paper application, you must sign it. An incomplete application may delay the registration process.
If you are registering for the first time in your county, the original signed application must be mailed or delivered in person.
Submit your application before the deadline
For the November 3, 2026 general election, the regular deadline to register is Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5 pm.
Generally speaking, the registration deadline for civilian voters is 25 days before an election.
If you mail your application close to the deadline, the State Board recommends paying attention to the postmark.
The Postal Service has clarified that the date a letter is postmarked may not match the date it was deposited in a mailbox. Therefore, those who send an application close to the deadline can request a manual postmark at a post office window.
If you did not register before the regular deadline, you can use same-day registration during the early voting period, provided you meet the requirements.
Related: Until when can I register to vote in the November 2026 general election in North Carolina?
What happens after you register to vote?
If the application is complete and you meet the requirements, your county's board of elections will process your registration.
The board will send a voter registration card to your address. The card serves, among other things, to verify your address.
If you submitted your application before an election deadline, the State Board says you should receive your card within approximately two weeks. If you don't receive it, you should contact your county board of elections.
All about the 2026 elections
Find in Enlace Latino NC Information about candidates, proposals, dates, and what's at stake in the North Carolina elections to learn about and better understand the electoral process.
Official resources
You can verify your voter registration, polling place, and other information directly on the official North Carolina State Board of Elections tool.
Check your voter registration →If you have a driver's license or identification issued by the NCDMV, you can complete your voter registration application online through the official North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles website.
Register to vote online →Your party affiliation can be important during primary elections, so it's a good idea to review the current rules before a primary.
Rules on party affiliation →
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
