Absentee Voting Information

Who May Vote Absentee

Any registered voter of North Carolina may request to vote an absentee ballot by mail or in person.

A voter does not have to provide a reason for either type of absentee voting. No-excuse absentee voting is permitted in all elections.

How to Vote Absentee

By Mail, E-mail, or Phone

  • By Mail

    • A voter can submit a handwritten request for an absentee ballot to the county board of elections prior to the last Tuesday before the election. The handwritten request from the voter or near relative must include the following:
      • Name of voter
      • Residential Address of voter
      • Mailing Address of voter (if different from residential address)
      • Date of Birth of voter
      • Signature of voter or near relative (indicate relationship with voter)
    • If the voter is qualified, an application and ballots will be mailed to the voter after the receipt of the written request.
    • The voted ballot must be received in the county board of elections office by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election in order to be counted.

  • By E-mail or Phone

    • If the voter emails or calls the board of elections office to request an absentee ballot, the voter will be mailed an absentee ballot request form.
    • The voter should fill out and sign the request form and return it by hand or mail to the county election office.
    • Upon receipt of the request form, the board of elections office will mail the voter's ballot to the address indicated.
    • The voted ballot must be received in the county board of elections office by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election in order to be counted.

In Person

  • One-Stop Voting

    • The voter goes to a One-Stop Voting site, signs an absentee application, and votes on the voting machine at the site.

  • In Office

    • The voter comes to the Board of Elections and requests an absentee ballot by filling out an absentee application or submitting a handwritten request.
    • The Board of Elections will then mail the ballot to the voter when the absentee voting period begins.
    • Voters may not pick up an absentee ballot by hand except as provided by GS 163-230.1.(a1).
    • The voted ballot must be received in the county board of elections office by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election in order to be counted.

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