10 Tips for Election Day Voters in NC -- 2022 General Election Edition

As North Carolina’s early voting period wraps up this Saturday, the State Board of Elections offers the following tips for voters who choose to go to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8:

1. On Election Day, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters in line at 7:30 p.m. will be able to cast a ballot. As required by state law, every N.C. voter will cast a hand-marked paper ballot or use a touch-screen ballot-marking device that produces a paper ballot for the voter to verify before casting. All voters will insert their ballots into a tabulator that has been tested before being used for the election. To find which voting equipment is used in your county, read Voting Equipment.
2. Voters must go to their assigned Election Day polling place. Find your polling place through the Voter Search or the Polling Place Search.
3. Sample ballots are available through the Voter Search tool.
4. If you are voting by mail and have not returned your ballot, you may not return your ballot to a polling site on Election Day. You may mail your ballot back or return your ballot sealed inside the completed envelope to your county board of elections by 5 p.m. on Election Day. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. If you mail your ballot on or before Election Day, you may not vote again in person.
5. North Carolina residents may not register to vote on Election Day, unless they became eligible after the October 14 voter registration deadline due to becoming a U.S. citizen or having their rights restored following a felony conviction. Due to a recent court decision, North Carolinians who are convicted of a felony have their rights restored when they leave jail or prison. They have the right to vote while on felony probation, parole, or post-release supervision.
6. Voters are not required to show photo ID to vote. See Voter ID for details.
7. Voters who need assistance at the polls must request that assistance. Curbside voting is available for voters who are unable to enter the voting place without assistance due to age or disability. Once inside the polling place, voters who experience difficulties should request help from an election worker. For more information, see the Help for Voters with Disabilities page.
8. If you present to vote and your name is not on the voter list, you may request a provisional ballot. About 10 days after an election, voters who cast a provisional ballot can check the status of their ballot with the Provisional Search tool. For more information, read Provisional Voting.
9. State and federal laws forbid intimidation or interference with voters, including hindering access to the voting place, whether inside or outside the buffer zone. The law also makes it a crime to interfere with election officials carrying out their duties. Penalties for violations include prison time, a fine, or both. The State Board takes these incidents very seriously. When they occur, we will work with our law enforcement partners on appropriate responses. Voters who are harassed or intimidated should notify an election official immediately.
10. Election results will be posted throughout election night at the State Board’s Election Results Dashboard. For more information, read What to Expect on Election Night in North Carolina.

For more information about Election Day voting, please visit Vote in Person on Election Day.