Early Voting Begins Thursday for Municipal Elections in Charlotte and Sanford; Voters Will Be Asked for Photo ID

The in-person early voting period for September 2023 municipal elections in Charlotte and Sanford begins Thursday, August 24, and ends Saturday, September 9. This is the first election in which voters will be asked to show photo identification under a law enacted in 2018.

The State Board of Elections offers the following 10 tips for early voters in those two cities:

1. Eligible voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. For sites and hours, use the One-Stop Early Voting Site Search or read One-Stop Voting Sites for the September 12, 2023 Election (PDF).
2. Sample ballots are available for eligible voters through the Voter Search tool. To be eligible to vote in a municipal election, the voter must be registered and live in that municipality – and, in some cases, the ward or district with a seat up for election.
3. Voters will be asked to show photo ID when checking in at the voting site. Most voters will simply show their driver’s license, but there are many other acceptable photo IDs. For more information, including the full list of acceptable IDs, visit Voter ID.
4. If a voter cannot show a photo ID, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form and voting a provisional ballot. County boards of elections must count provisional ballots with properly completed ID Exception Forms.
5. Don’t have an ID? All county boards of elections can issue free voter photo IDs to registered voters in their county through the last day of early voting, which is September 9. To be issued a free voter photo ID card, the voter must provide their name, date of birth, and the last four numbers of their Social Security number, and have their photo taken. 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.
6. Individuals who missed the regular voter registration deadline for their municipality’s election may register and vote at the same time during the early voting period. Same-day registrants must attest to their eligibility and provide proof of where they live. For more information, visit Register in Person During Early Voting.
7. Voters who receive an absentee ballot by mail may deliver their completed ballot to an election official at an early voting site in their county during early voting hours. Ballots will be kept securely and delivered to the county board of elections for processing.
8. The State Board asks that all voters respect the rights of others to participate in the election. Every eligible voter is entitled to cast their ballot freely, without harassment or intimidation. Voters who feel harassed or intimidated should notify an election official immediately.
9. Voters at one-stop early voting sites are entitled to the same assistance as voters at a voting place on Election Day. Curbside voting is available for eligible individuals at all early voting sites. For more information, visit Curbside Voting.
10. The State Board of Elections and county boards of elections do not generally provide information about candidates. However, candidates’ websites, political parties, media outlets, and advocacy groups often compile information about candidates for voters.

For more information about early voting, please visit Vote Early in Person. For more information about municipal elections scheduled for October and November 2023, see Upcoming Election.

###