NOTE: Beginning with the 2023 municipal elections, North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Learn more at Voter ID.
How to Vote in the 2023 Municipal Elections
North Carolina has more than 550 cities, towns, and villages – also known as municipalities. In 2023, there are three municipal election dates in North Carolina:
Tuesday, Sept. 12 (Charlotte, Marshall, Mars Hill, Sanford)
Tuesday, Oct. 10 (Cary and various municipalities)
Tuesday, Nov. 7 (Durham, Morrisville, and various municipalities)
Find elections for your municipality
Click or tap on your county in the map below to find what election contests are on your ballot in 2023 and when those elections are taking place. You can also use the North Carolina State Board of Election’s Local Voter Tool.
Important Dates for the September 12 Primary Elections
August 11
First day that absentee ballots are mailed to those who requested one
August 18
Deadline to register to vote
August 24
Early voting and One Stop Registration begins
September 5
Deadline to request absentee ballot (5 p.m.)
September 9
Last Day of Early Voting
September 12
Election Day and absentee ballot return deadline
Important Dates for the October 10 Elections
September 8
First day that absentee ballots are mailed to those who requested one
September 15
Deadline to register to vote
September 21
Early voting and One Stop Registration begins
October 3
Deadline to request absentee ballot (5 p.m.)
October 7
Last Day of Early Voting
October 10
Election Day and absentee ballot return deadline
Important Dates for the November 7 Elections
October 6
First day that absentee ballots are mailed to those who requested one
October 13
Deadline to register to vote
October 19
Early voting and One Stop Registration begins
October 31
Deadline to request absentee ballot (5 p.m.)
November 4
Last Day of Early Voting
November 7
Election Day and absentee ballot return deadline
- REMINDER: North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Learn more at Voter ID.
- You can request a mail-in ballot here. Ballots must be dropped off at a one-stop early voting site in your county by 5 p.m. on the last day of Early Voting, or returned to your NC board of elections by Election Day.
- You can cast your vote during the Early Voting period at any polling place in your county. Specific hours and locations for Early Voting in 2023 will vary depending on which county you live in and can be found at this list of Early Voting sites.
- You can cast your vote on Election Day 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. at your polling location. Find your polling location here.
Learn More About the N.C. Government
N.C. General Assembly
N.C. Supreme Court
Sheriffs
Infographics are also available in the following languages: Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Hindi, and Urdu.
Voter FAQ
To register to vote in North Carolina, you must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Live in the county of their/his/her registration and have resided there for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election.
- Be at least 18 years old or will be by the date of the general election.
- 16- and 17-year-olds may pre-register to vote. Their registration will be processed once they turn 18.
- Not serving a sentence for a felony conviction, including probation, parole, or post-release supervision. Learn more about this here.
If you have an NC DMV-issued ID or driver’s license, you can use the NCAAT’s Online Voter Registration Tool to complete your registration.
If you don’t have an NC DMV-issued ID or driver’s license, you will need to complete and print your registration form and mail it back to the State Board of Elections, NCAAT’s Online Voter Registration Tool can also guide you through that process.
You only need to register once and should update your registration information (with changes in name, address, party affiliation, etc.) as needed through NCAAT’s Online Voter Registration Tool. Make sure you’re registered to vote at your current address!
You can also check your registration status through the Voter Search tool. It also doesn’t hurt to fill out the form again, if you’re still in doubt.
Yes. North Carolina voters don’t need a special reason to request an absentee ballot. Any registered voter can request and receive a mail-in ballot. An absentee ballot must be requested for each election in which a voter wants to vote by mail. Go to ncaat.org/votebymail to request your vote by mail ballot.
Yes. In North Carolina, any voter can be assisted by a family member for any reason. Voters with disabilities can be assisted by anyone who is not their employer. You can learn more here.
Yes. As of September 2023, North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID to vote. Acceptable photo IDs include:
- North Carolina driver’s license
- U.S. Passport/U.S. Passport Card
- State ID (“non-operator ID”), from the NCDMV
- NC Voter Photo ID card, issued by a county board of elections
- College/university student ID approved by NCSBE
- Charter school employee ID approved by NCSBE
- State/local government employee ID approved by NCSBE
- Driver’s license/non-driver ID from another state, D.C. or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in NC within 90 days of election)
If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they can get one for free from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). Find more information under “No-Fee ID Cards” at State IDs | NCDMV. Voters can also get free ID from their county board of elections.
All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If any voter is unable to show a photo ID when voting, they may vote with a provisional ballot and either complete an ID exemption form or bring acceptable ID to the county elections office by the day before county canvass.
Any voter in NC has the option to vote early and can use any of the Early Voting sites in their county of residence. See above for Early Voting dates for your election.
You can find a list of Early Voting sites here. You can also register to vote at Early Voting sites during the Early Voting period.
You can find your polling location here. On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location. Polling locations are open 6:30 am – 7:30 pm. If you’re in line at 7:30 pm, you will be allowed to vote.
As an eligible voter, you are guaranteed free, fair, and accessible elections. You have a right to vote without being intimidated or forced to vote in a certain way. If you have faced violations of your voting right, contact the following hotlines:
- Democracy North Carolina Election Protection Hotline: 888-687-8683
Your ballot must be received by 5pm on Election Day for it to be counted in this election.
We’re happy to help! Just email contact@ncaatogether.org or call 919-591-2442, and we’ll make sure to answer your question.
How the Asian American vote can make a difference in NC
Since 2010, the number of eligible Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters in North Carolina grew 43%, more than five times faster than the statewide growth rate.
Across North Carolina, there are more than 190,000 Asian Americans who are eligible to vote, making the Asian American community a potentially significant voting bloc in this battleground state. The number of Asian American registered voters has increased 42% from 2016.
However, more work needs to be done to bridge the gap between registered voters and the voting-eligible population in AAPI communities. As of November 2021, there are about 106,000 Asian American registered voters, or about 55% of the total Asian American voting-eligible population.
How to Help
NCAAT is committed to raising the visibility and voice of the Asian American population in North Carolina through building up and motivating an electorate throughout the state. Join us in engaging Asian American voters through our regular voter registration drives conducted in communities with high Asian American populations. With your help we can ensure that all Asian American voters are ready to vote!