By Pa Yang, SLS Paralegal
North Carolina registered voters can vote by absentee ballot through the steps below.
1. If you are a registered voter in North Carolina, you can request an absentee ballot by the October 29, 2024, deadline by completing an official NC Absentee Ballot Request Form.
There are two ways that you can request your absentee ballot:
a. Online:
Request an Absentee Ballot on the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal and select the option that applies to you; or
b. On paper:
You can find the paper request form here. The paper form must be returned to your county Board of Elections office by either dropping it off in person or mailing it in. Please note that your county Board of Elections office must receive the completed and signed absentee request form by 5 pm, on the Tuesday before Election Day (October 29, 2024).
2. Fill out and complete your absentee ballot when it arrives in the mail. (*You MUST mark your ballot in the presence of a notary public or two witnesses. The notary or the two witnesses should observe that you mark the ballot, not how you vote.*)
3. Place the completed ballot in the envelope. Once you have placed the ballot in the envelope, seal and sign the back of the envelope.
4. If you choose to have two witnesses, have your two witnesses sign on the back of the envelope with their name and their full address. (Anyone who is 18 years old or older can be a witness except a candidate.)
5. If you want to sign before a notary instead of two witnesses, Student Legal Services can notarize your ballot at no additional charge. We are accepting walk-ins for absentee ballot notarization from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning September 30, 2024 and through October 29, 2024. Please note that SLS is closed during fall break on Monday, October 14th and Tuesday, October 15th.
If you cannot attend walk-in notary hours then you can request an appointment by following the instructions on our website and filling out the notary intake form.
The SLS office is located in the Popp Martin Student Union Suite 126. Remember that you will need to wait to fill out your ballot until your notary appointment with SLS. The notary will need to observe you mark the ballot.
6. Make sure to include a copy of your Photo ID and put it in the clear sleeve on the back of your ballot envelope. If you are unable to provide a copy of a photo ID, complete and place the Photo ID Exception Form and put it into the clear sleeve. Then place the completed sealed ballot envelope inside the absentee return envelope. (Click here to see more information on Photo ID requirements).
7. You can either mail back or drop off your completed voter absentee ballot to your county Board of Elections. The deadline to return your absentee ballot by mail or in-person is by 7:30 pm, on Election Day. If you choose to return your absentee ballot by mail, the postage cost will be $1.77.
Note: If you are voting from another state by absentee ballot, please check your state's voting deadlines and rules.
All the information on this page should be used for general information purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice. Please contact your local election officials for information on voting in your jurisdiction.
*Disclaimer: Non-attorney staff at SLS are not licensed to practice law in the state of North Carolina. They may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.