No. Only the voter may sign their own voter registration application. Another person may not sign the form on the voter’s behalf, even if they have power of attorney for that individual.

The regular voter registration deadline in North Carolina is 25 days before an election. For full details, visit the Voter Registration Deadlines page.

Missed the deadline? Eligible individuals may still register and vote in person during early voting using same-day registration. Learn more at Register in Person During Early Voting.

Yes. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote in the primary of any recognized political party or may request a nonpartisan ballot, if available. However, a voter may only participate in one party’s primary per election.

Voting in a party's primary does not change the voter's unaffiliated status. If a nonpartisan ballot is selected, it will only include contests such as referenda or nonpartisan offices.

Residency for voting is defined under N.C.G.S. § 163-57. Key points include:

• A person’s voting residence is their “fixed” habitation—the place they intend to return to when absent.
• A temporary relocation with the intent to return does not change a voter's residence.
• A permanent move results in a change of residency and voting jurisdiction.
• Owning property or paying taxes in a location does not establish voting residency.
• Voters must have established residency at their address at least 30 days before the election.

Voters who move within 30 days of an election should vote based on their previous residence.

College students may register and vote in the county where they attend school if they intend to make that community their home. If a student plans to return to their prior residence after graduation, they should remain registered at that address.

If a student is unsure where they will live after graduation, they may choose to register either in their college community or at their previous home address. A person may only vote in one place per election. Voting more than once in the same election—whether within North Carolina or across state lines—is a felony.

Same-Day Registration for College Students

Students who are not registered in the county where they attend school may use same-day registration during the early voting period. After registering, they may vote immediately at the same early voting site.

To use same-day registration, the student must complete a voter registration application and provide proof of residence. Acceptable documents include:

• A North Carolina driver’s license
• Another government-issued photo ID that includes name and current address
• A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the student’s name and address
• A document from the student’s educational institution with their name and on-campus housing address
• Or, if living on campus, a listing provided by the institution to the county board of elections, paired with a valid student ID

Learn more about registering as a college student.

If you move to a new address within the same county, you should complete an in-county change of address to keep your voter registration up to date. You may update your address using one of the following methods:

• On the back of your voter registration card
• Using an Address Confirmation Notice
• By submitting a signed letter to the Chatham County Board of Elections
• Using the NC Voter Registration Application or the National Mail Voter Registration Form
• Through the Federal Postcard Application or Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (for military and overseas voters)
• In person during early voting using same-day registration
• On Election Day (recommended to update beforehand if possible)
• Using the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal if voting by mail
• Online through the DMV Voter Registration Portal (for DMV customers)
• At the DMV or another agency covered under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

Keeping your address updated ensures you receive the correct ballot and are assigned to the correct voting districts.

If you moved more than 30 days before the election, you must update your registration by the voter registration deadline (25 days before the election). If you miss that deadline, you may update your address using same-day registration during the early voting period.

If you moved within 30 days of the election, you must vote at your prior polling place.

If your move was not reported before Election Day but occurred within the same county, you may vote at your new polling location using a provisional ballot. You may also vote provisionally at your old polling place, but your ballot may not include all contests. Contact the Chatham County Board of Elections to ask if a central transfer precinct is available.

Be sure to also notify the board of any change to your mailing address, if different from your residence, as the board may need to send you updates.

Other changes—such as a name change or party affiliation change—can be made using a voter registration application. Most changes can also be made using same-day registration at an early voting site.

Party affiliation changes cannot be made during early voting for a primary election. They may be submitted during early voting for a general election, but the change will not take effect until after canvass.

Voter registration records are not removed simply due to non-voting. However, under state and federal law, list maintenance is conducted regularly.

If there is no contact with a voter over two federal election cycles, a forwardable address confirmation mailing is sent. If the mailing is not returned within 30 days—or is returned undeliverable—the voter is marked inactive. If there is still no contact for two additional federal election cycles, the voter is removed from the rolls and would need to re-register.

Inactive voters are still registered and may vote after verifying their address.

Learn more about voter list maintenance (N.C.G.S. § 163-82.14)

County boards of elections conduct regular list maintenance to remove voters who are no longer eligible due to:

• Death
• Felony conviction
• Relocation outside the county or state
• Prolonged lack of contact

This process is required under state and federal law and ensures that voter rolls remain accurate.

Learn more in the NCSBE press release on list maintenance

Most voter registration information is public record, including name, address, party affiliation, and voting districts. However, certain data is protected, including:

• Full or partial Social Security numbers
• Date of birth
• Driver’s license number
• Where the voter registered (agency information)
• Email address (for military/overseas voters)
• Voter’s signature (viewable but not reproducible)

Voters concerned for their safety may request address confidentiality by providing:

• A valid 50B protective order
• A restraining order
• A current and valid Address Confidentiality Program card

A signed statement must accompany these documents, explaining that public access to the voter’s address would jeopardize their safety or that of a family member.

Learn more about the Address Confidentiality Program