North Carolina Voter Registration Deadline and Procedures for the 2021 Election
As the 2021 election approaches in North Carolina, individuals aiming to cast their ballots by mail or in person on Election Day are reminded to complete their voter registration by the deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, October 11. For those who miss this cutoff, the opportunity to register and vote concurrently is available during the 17-day in-person early voting period at designated sites across each county. Commencing on October 17 and concluding on November 2, the early voting phase offers flexibility for voters to participate ahead of the official Election Day.
Eligible individuals seeking to register are presented with multiple options, including submitting voter registration forms via mail by the deadline, ensuring that the forms are received by the county board of elections postmarked no later than October 11. In cases where the postmark is absent or illegible, forms will still be processed if received by Wednesday, October 16. It is important to note that North Carolina residents are not permitted to register on Election Day unless they achieve eligibility after the October 11 deadline, such as attaining U.S. citizenship or having their voting rights reinstated following a felony conviction.
The registration requirements mandate that individuals must be U.S. citizens, have resided at the specified North Carolina address for at least 30 days prior to Election Day, be 18 years of age or will reach this milestone by the general election date, and currently not be serving a felony sentence, encompassing probation, post-release supervision, or parole.
Regarding updates to existing voter registrations, individuals can utilize the DMV website or traditional voter registration applications. For those possessing North Carolina driver’s licenses or other DMV identification, changes to residential or mailing addresses and party affiliations can be facilitated through the online DMV service, with exceptions for name alterations. Paper applications for registration updates must be signed and dispatched to the county board of elections by October 11, while adjustments to name, address within the county, and party affiliation require signatures but can be submitted via fax or email to the county board. If relocating to a new county, the paper form must be delivered through mail or in person.
Additionally, registered voters have the option to update their information at designated early voting sites during the early voting period, providing convenience for individuals seeking to ensure their voter registration details are accurate and up to date.
