Where College Students May Register

College and university students may register and vote in the county where they live while they go to school if they do not intend to return to their former home after graduation. If the student does not know where they will go after college, they may register in their college community or using their former home.

If the student intends to return to their former home after graduation, then they should be registered there. Voters may only vote once in any election. Voting multiple times in the same election, either within the state or across state lines, is a felony.

During Early Voting

Individuals who are not registered to vote in a county may register at early voting sites during the early voting period. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at that same site. This process is called “same-day registration.”

Same-day registrants must attest to their eligibility and provide proof of where they live. A voter attests to their eligibility by completing and signing the North Carolina voter registration application (available in English or Spanish). Registering at an early voting site during the early voting period requires voters to provide proof of residence. Proof of residence includes any of the following documents that includes the voter’s current address:

  • North Carolina driver’s license.
  • Other photo identification issued by a government agency, provided that the card includes the voter’s current name and address.
  • A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter’s name and address.
  • For students living on campus, a document from an educational institution with the student’s name and on-campus housing address. Or, an educational institution may provide the county board of elections a list of students residing in particular campus housing, which will suffice if a student living in campus housing shows a valid student photo identification card.

For more information about same-day registration, visit Register in Person During Early Voting.