Early Voting in North Carolina for the 2024 Election | 10 tips for North Carolina voters as early voting begins

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Early in-person voting begins Thursday and ends November 2nd at 3 p.m. in all 100 counties. Statewide, 419 early voting sites will open across North Carolina on Thursday.

“In-person early voting was the most popular method of voting in the recent general election, and we expect that to remain the case in 2024,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections.

In 2020, 65% of North Carolina voters voted early and in person

Here are 10 tips for voters as early voting begins:

1. Early voting locations. Eligible voters can cast their ballot at any early voting location in their county. For locations and hours in all 100 counties, use the Early Voting Sites Search tool. You can also download the early voting PDF pages for the November 5, 2024 general election. The busiest days for early voting are often the first day and the last few days.

2. Information about the candidate. Sample ballots are available through the voter search tool. For information about candidates for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, see the State Board's Judicial Voter Guide: 2024 General Election. The guide will also be mailed to all North Carolina households. Being familiar with your choices will make your voting experience go more smoothly.

3. Bring your photo ID. Voters will be asked to present photo ID when checking in to vote. Most voters will show their driver's license, but many other types of photo ID are accepted. Voters who do not have a photo ID may comply with the photo ID requirement by either (1) completing a form explaining why they cannot show a photo ID or (2) presenting their ID at the county election office no later than 5:00 p.m Show 14. For more information about the photo ID requirement, visit BringItNC.gov.

4. Free photo ID cards. Any registered voter who requires a photo ID can obtain a free photo ID at their county election office during early voting, which ends Nov. 2. For more information, see Get Free Photo ID for Voters.

5. Register to vote. The regular voter registration deadline was October 11th. But any eligible North Carolina resident can still register and vote during the early voting period. Registrants must provide proof of their residential address. This could be a driver's license or other government document, a paycheck, a utility bill, or a bank statement. For more information, see Registering in Person During Early Voting.

6. Registration update. Early voting allows registered voters to update their name or address within the same county if necessary.

7. Submit postal ballots. Voters who vote by mail can return the ballot by mail or hand it to a poll worker at an early voting location in their county. You can also drop it off in person at your county elections office. Voters registered in the 25 counties in the Helene disaster area in western North Carolina can drop off their mail-in ballots at any early voting location in the state during early voting hours. Ballots are securely stored and delivered to the voter's county election board for processing. For more information about returning postal ballots, see the detailed instructions on postal voting.

8. Voting in person instead of absenteeism. Voters who have requested a mail-in ballot but have not yet returned it can instead vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, Nov. 5. Voters can discard the mail-in ballot and do not have to bring it with them to a polling place.

9. Peace in the elections. All voters should respect the right of others to participate in the election. Election officials are trained to respond quickly to incidents that could affect a voter's ability to cast their vote. It is a crime to intimidate any voter. Voters who feel harassed or intimidated should notify a poll worker immediately.

10. Voters who need help. Voters who require assistance may bring a voter authorized person to assist them in entering and exiting the polling station or to assist them in completing their ballot according to the voter's instructions. Election workers are also available to assist voters. For voters who cannot enter the polling station, voting is also possible at the curb. For more information, see Curbside Voting.

For more information about early voting, see Vote Early in Person.

More tips and resources.