Voting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated February 28, 2025

1. What elections are coming in 2025?

Many (but not all!) NC municipalities have elections on Tuesday, November 4th 2025. All registered NC voters can check if they have an election this with the Voter Search tool. Enter your name, pull up your voting information and see if any municipality is listed under “Your Jurisdictions.” In our area, here are the municipalities holding 2025 elections:

Alexander County—no municipal elections

Burke County—Connelly Springs, Drexel, Glen Alpine, Hickory*, Morganton, Rhodhiss and Valdese.

Caldwell County—Blowing Rock, Cajah's Mountain, Cedar Rock, Granite Falls, Gamewell, Hudson, Lenoir, Rhodhiss and Sawmills.

Catawba County—Brookford, Town of Catawba, Claremont, Long Vie, Maiden, Newton and Hickory*

Lincoln County--Maiden

*Note that if more than 2 candidates file for any one seat in Hickory, a primary will be held for that seat (or seats) on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

2. How can I check my voter registration?

It’s easy! Just go to VOTE411.org, click the Verify Voter Registration link, pick your state and follow the directions. In NC this takes you to the State Board of Elections Voter Search tool. Enter your information and then click on your name to see all sorts of relevant voter information (your voting jurisdictions/districts, where to vote on Election Day, a link to NC’s One Stop Early Voting Site Search, your voting history and more).

3. What are the deadlines for registering to vote in an election?

You must be a resident of your municipality by October 5th, 2025 (30 days before the election) and you must be registered to vote by October 10th, 2025 (25 days before an election). If you miss this deadline, you can register and vote on the same day during One Stop Early Voting. Early Voting this fall starts October 16th and ends November 1st, 2025.

4. Who is eligible to register and vote in NC?

To vote in NC, an individual must

· Be a U.S. citizen

· Be a resident of your county and, prior to voting, must have resided at your residential address for at least 30 days.

· Be at least 18 years old at the next election date. (16- and 17-year-olds may pre-register and a 17-year-old may vote in a Primary if they will be 18 on/before Election Day).

· Rescind any previous voting registration in another county or state.

Note: Per order of the NC Supreme Court in April 2023, NC residents convicted of felonies must complete their sentences—including any prison time and any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole—before they regain their right to vote. Click here for more information from the NC State Board of Elections.

5. What are my options for voting?

NC voters can elect to vote Absentee By Mail, or at One Stop Early Voting or on Election Day. Pick whichever method is best for you!

Note: Some NC municipalities do not support Early or Mail voting in municipal elections.

6. Do I have to bring any identification to vote?

Yes. NC voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check-in to vote. Voters who vote by mail will be asked to include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot by mail.

There are several types of acceptable photo ID’s (such as a NC driver’s license) AND voting options if a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID. For detailed information about these rules go to the NC State Board of Elections webpage on voter ID here

7. What options do college students have to vote?

· College students who are registered NC voters can

o Vote at home

o Vote Absentee by Mail (the student or their parents may request the absentee ballot)

o Change your voter registration to your campus address if you meet the criteria of the jurisdiction where you attend college

· College students from outside of NC, attending an NC college can

o Vote in accordance with the rules of your home jurisdiction

o Change your voter registration to your NC address if you will be living in NC for at least 30 days before the election

8. What can I do at One Stop Early Voting? (October 16 – November 1 for the 2025 General Election for municipalities that offer Early Voting)

· Register to vote

· Vote

· Update your name, physical address or mailing address

· Obtain voting assistance for physically disabled or elderly voters (curbside voting, ADA Ballot or/and request assistance from an Election Official who has sworn an oath to assist without bias)

Note: Party Affiliation may NOT be changed at One Stop Early Voting

9. What do I need to do to vote Absentee by Mail? (Note that some municipalities do not support absentee by mail voting).

Voting by mail in NC takes three steps—requesting, completing, and returning a ballot.

a. Requesting an Absentee Ballot can be done at NC Absentee Ballot Portal. You will be required to provide your date of birth and either your NC Driver’s License number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. More detailed instructions can be found here.

b. Completing your ballot—Detailed instructions can be found here, and include marking your ballot in the presence of a notary or two witnesses, signing the ballot (voter & witnesses), including a copy of your photo ID and sealing your ballot.

c. Returning your ballot—By mail or in person. Ballots must be received by your County Boad of Election by 7:30pm on November 4, 2025. More detailed instructions can be found here.

10. How can I find out where to vote?

Know that One Stop Early Voting locations and those used for Election Day are different for many voters.

Early Voting locations and schedules vary by county and may not be the same for every election. NC voters can vote at any of their county’s One Stop Early Voting locations during the early voting period. Your NC voter registration information contains a link to NC’s One-Stop Early Voting Site Search.

Your voting precinct location for Election Day is also included with your voting registration information. Here is a link to NC’s Polling Place Search

11. How can I find out about upcoming elections?

All NC voters have election choices to make in even years. Some NC voters also have election choices to make in odd years (e.g. many municipal elections are held during odd years). The races on your ballot depend upon your voting districts. Your voter registration information contains dates for your upcoming elections (see the How can I check my voter registration? question and answer above). About a month before each election, go to VOTE411.org, click on the Find What’s on Your Ballot box, enter your address and you will see the races and candidates on your ballot.

12. How can I learn about the candidates on my ballot?

About a month before each election, go to VOTE411.org, click on the Find What’s on Your Ballot box, enter your address and you will see the races and candidates on your ballot. Candidates are invited to share their biographical information (picture, social media sites, contact information) and answer questions to help voters learn about why they think they are the best candidate for office. The information shared comes directly from the candidates.