Voter Registration

Qualifications

To register to vote in this State, a person must sign a voter declaration attesting that:

• I am a U.S. citizen.
• I will have been a resident of North Carolina and this county for 30 days before the election.
• I will be at least 18 years old by the next general election. (If 17 years old, persons may register no earlier than 60 days prior to the date of the primary election for the general election.)
• I am not registered nor will I vote in any other county or state.
• If I have been convicted of a felony, my rights of citizenship have been restored.

Deadline to Register or Change Information

The deadline to register to vote in North Carolina is 25 days before the date of an election. The voter registration application must be received by the applicant's county boards of elections by this date. If an application is received after the deadline, the application may still be timely if it was mailed and it is postmarked on or before the voter registration deadline; otherwise, the application will not be processed until after the election. Persons who register at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or another voter registration agency will be considered registered as of the date the application is given to the agency. As long as this date is on or before the voter registration deadline, then the application will be deemed timely for an upcoming election

Changing or Updating Information

Changing your voter registration information (including, but not limited to name, residential address, mailing address, or party affiliation) is relatively easy.

• You may use the NC Voter Registration Application/Change of Information form (PDF) for new registrations or to change any of your information. Mail or hand deliver the completed form to the Moore County Board of Elections.
• When you move from one county to another, you will need to register in your new county of residence. Use the form specified above and send to your new county. Note that when you move within the State, the law requires that you change your address on your drivers license within 60 days. While changing your information at the DMV be sure to inform the agent that you need to update your voter record also.

Please note: Changing information on your Drivers license does not automatically update your voter record!

Opportunities to Register

Agencies

Voter registration programs are actively conducted through many agencies in this State. If a person is applying for or receiving benefits from any of the participating agencies or programs, a voter registration transaction is available during the conduct of any business with that office.

The following programs and agencies are currently participating in the agency voter registration program:

• Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
• Employment Security Commission
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Services for the Blind
• Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities

Other Options

Public Libraries, Town Halls & High Schools

North Carolina has made available mail-in voter registration forms to numerous visible locations throughout the counties, such as local town halls, high schools and public libraries. Please note that while the forms are available at these locations, they do not accept the completed forms for the board of elections. The completed forms should be mailed directly to the appropriate county board of elections.

DMV

The driver's license examination offices, located throughout the State, have conducted a successful voter registration program since 1984. A person may complete a voter registration transaction at any driver's license examination office when conducting official DMV business with that office (applying for or renewing a driver's license, I.D. card, etc.).

UOCAVA

UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are members of U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard), merchant marine, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their family members, and citizens outside the United States.

If you are covered by UOCAVA and not a resident of North Carolina, please go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website for information about registering in your state of residence and requesting the appropriate forms.

If you are a resident of North Carolina and are registered to vote in North Carolina you may request an absentee ballot by mail or in person from your local County Board of Elections office or you may submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA SF-76).

If you are a resident of North Carolina but not registered to vote you may submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA SF-76) form to your county of residence.

Who Qualifies

NC law (GS 163, Article 21) defines absent uniformed services voters and overseas citizens as the following:

• Members of the U.S. armed forces (as defined by UOCAVA)
• Spouses of members of the U.S. armed forces
• Disabled war veterans in U.S. government hospitals
• Civilians attached to and serving outside the U.S. with the armed forces
• Members of the Peace Corps
• Other individuals meeting definitions of "absent uniformed services voter" and "overseas voter" in the UOCAVA

Registering & Requesting a Ballot

Absent UOCAVA voters may use the FPCA to register and request an absentee ballot. Requests from absent uniformed services voters are good through two federal elections.

In lieu of the FPCA, absent UOCAVA registered voters may make a written request, issued by the county board of elections or the voter, for registration and/or absentee ballot request provided the request contains the following information:

• election for which the ballots are being requested
• political party affiliation, if primary
• a statement of membership in any of the above qualifying categories of absent UOCAVA voters
• a statement of the precinct of registration or the address of the voter's residence in the county
• the address where the ballots are to be mailed
• must be signed by the voter

FPCAs are not required to be notarized or witnessed.

FPCAs or written requests can be submitted by mail, by facsimile (using the secure fax Number 919-715-0351 or as an email attachment.

Requests for registration and absentee ballots by absent UOCAVA voters may be submitted at any time during the calendar year prior to the day of the election.

Receiving a Ballot

Individuals qualified to register and receive absentee ballots under these provisions may receive their ballot by Mail or by Fax.

Ballots will be faxed to the voter using guidelines established by the State Board of Elections and contained in 8 NCAC Chapter 12. The voter must request that the ballot be faxed and specify the fax number where the ballot is to be sent.

Casting & Returning the Ballot

Ballots should be marked by the voter or in the voter's presence according to the instructions contained in the absentee ballot package or faxed materials and witnessed by two persons who are at least 18 years of age.

Voted ballots should be returned to the county board of elections along with the completed certificate printed on the container return envelope or fax materials.

Ballots should be received by the county board of elections no later than 5 pm the day before the election in order to be counted. Ballots arriving on Election Day before the close of the polls may have only the offices of President and Vice President counted. (42 USC. 1973aa-1(d))

Incomplete Requests

If the FPCA or written request is missing required information or information is provided that does not permit the county to register the voter and/or process the absentee request (i.e. last voting residence is not a proper address, etc.), the voter shall be notified by the county board of elections and given the opportunity to correct the error.

Contacting the Federal Voting Assistance Program

Mail

Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155

Telephone

Office hours are 7:30 am to 6 pm. EST, Monday through Friday. Messages may be left 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Toll-Free for the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: 1800-438-VOTE (8683)
• Fax: 800-368-8683
• Commercial: 703-588-1584 / DSN: 425-1584

Federal Voting Assistance Program website