North Carolina Voter Registration Deadline Set for Feb. 6 Ahead of March Primary

North Carolina residents who want to cast ballots in person on Primary Election Day must sign up by Friday, Feb. 6, at 5 p.m. This cutoff affects new enrollments and party switches before the March 3 primary.

State law requires voter registration to close 25 days before an election. If you miss Friday's cut-off, you can still enroll when early balloting starts, from Feb. 12 through Feb. 28.

Same-day signups during early balloting require attestation of eligibility, proof of residence, and an acceptable photo ID. Voter enrollment isn't allowed on Election Day unless someone becomes eligible after the cutoff by gaining U.S. citizenship or having rights restored following a felony conviction.

To enroll, individuals must be U.S. citizens and have lived at their address for at least 30 days before the election. They must be at least 18 years old by the general election, though 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by Nov. 3 may sign up and cast ballots in the primary. Those serving a felony sentence, including probation, post-release supervision, or parole, cannot enroll.

Mailed applications will be considered timely if postmarked on or before the cutoff. The U.S. Postal Service recommends requesting a manual postmark at the post office when mailing paperwork near the deadline.

Already signed up? Voters can update their information through the NCDMV online service or by turning in a signed paper application. Party affiliation changes must be made by the Feb. 6 cutoff, though other updates can happen at early balloting sites.

Voters can request absentee ballots through Feb. 17. Ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.