Primary Election voter registration deadline draws near
The civilian voter registration deadline for the March 5 Primary Election is rapidly approaching, so now’s a good time to double-check your registration or register to vote if you already haven’t.
A slew of candidates seeking local and statewide offices — including governor and every member of North Carolina’s council of state — are up this year, along with congressional and presidential candidates from major parties.
Democrats, Libertarians and Republicans must vote in their party’s primary; however, unaffiliated voters may choose which party’s ballot to use.
Prospective voters who haven’t registered can do so in person at their county board of elections office or at their local DMV before 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, which is likewise the deadline to change party affiliation. It’s also a good time to update your address if it’s changed since the last election.
Online applications, with a North Carolina driver’s license, are also accepted. There is an option to register by mail; however, with the deadline at hand it’s perhaps best to find another way.
Visit ncsbe.gov/registering to learn more about how to register. Take note of voter qualifications and have proper proof-of-identity documents ready, to make your registration process quick and easy.
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For registered voters — check your address, party affiliation, polling place (some have changed) and preview a sample ballot by visiting vt.ncsbe.gov/reglkup.
Absentee ballots are already being mailed out to registered voters who’ve requested them; get yours at votebymail.ncsbe.gov before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
In-person early voting for the March 5 Primary Election begins on Thursday, Feb. 15, and continues through 3 p.m. on March 2. Find your site at vt.ncsbe.gov/evsite.
North Carolina does provide the option to register to vote in person for some during the early voting period. Voters must have resided in the county no less than 30 days. There’s also an option to register and vote in person, on Election Day.
Voters and members of the military who are overseas or away from home face different requirements and different deadlines.
For all election-related questions, visit ncsbe.gov.
— Cory Vaillancourt, politics editor
