Voting

Students and employees are encouraged to become registered and educated voters. Find information voting information relevant to the UNCSA community below. 

Photo ID

Voters must show an acceptable photo ID when they check in at their voting site during early voting or on Election Day. Election workers check to see if the picture on the ID reasonably resembles the voter and if the name on the ID is the same as or very similar to the voter’s name in their registration record. The address on the photo ID does not have to match the voter registration records.
 
Voters who vote by mail must include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot, or they may complete an ID Exception Form. The voter places the photocopy of ID or ID Exception Form in a pocket on the outside of the ballot container envelope, which is then placed in an outer return envelope to protect the privacy of the voter.
 

Acceptable Photo ID's for voting in-person.  Any of the following that is unexpired, or expired for one year or less:

• North Carolina driver’s license
• State ID from the NCDMV (also called “non-operator ID”)
• Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)
• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
• North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections (see Get a Free Voter Photo ID)
• College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections (see box below)
• State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections (see box below)

Any of the following, regardless of whether the ID contains an expiration or issuance date:

• Military or veterans ID card (with photo) issued by the U.S. government
• Tribal enrollment card (with photo) issued by a tribe recognized by the State of North Carolina or the federal government
• ID card (with photo) issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program (Note: Although this is an acceptable form of ID under North Carolina law, the State Board is not aware of any such ID in circulation that contains a photo. All IDs for voting are required to have a photo.)

All county boards of elections can issue free voter photo IDs to registered voters in their county. To be issued a free voter photo ID card, the voter must provide their name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number, and have their photo taken. Find additional information at Get a Free Voter Photo ID.

Additionally, any North Carolina resident can get a free non-driver’s ID card from the DMV. Find more information under “No-Fee ID Cards” at State IDs | NCDMV.

College students

You can register either at a home address or a campus address. For most students, it's easiest to vote in-person where you will be during Early Voting or on Election Day. If you live on campus, click here to find the correct campus address to use on your voter registration form. You can request to vote by mail on the State Board of Elections website, or by submitting a completed and signed form to your county board of elections by mail or in person. You will receive a ballot and envelope in the mail in order to mail your ballot to your county board of elections.

Click here for state by state absentee ballot rules.

Registration and early voting

The voter registration deadline in North Carolina is 25 days before Election Day. This deadline is different for military and overseas citizens. Learn more at Voter Registration Deadlines.

Here are the voter registration deadlines for the 2024 elections in North Carolina:

• Oct. 11, 2024, for the general election on Nov. 5, 2024.

For details about the 2024 elections, visit Upcoming Election.

If you miss the registration deadline, you may be eligible to register and vote or make changes to your voter registration (anything other than party affiliation) and vote during the early voting period. Learn more at Register in Person During Early Voting.

During the early voting period, voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. This is different than Election Day, when registered voters must vote at their assigned polling place. During the early voting period, eligible individuals may also register to vote and vote at the same time (see Same-Day Registration below). For an overview of North Carolina’s current elections, visit Upcoming Election.

Early voting sites and schedules for the 2024 general election will be posted to the Early Voting Site Search when they become available.

Guides and resources

If you have questions, browse these PDF's and websites:

• You Can Vote
• College Student Infosheet
• Register to Vote
• Campus Votes Project
• Forsyth County Board of Elections
• Can I Vote (National Association of Secretaries of State)