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Board of Elections

Show All Answers

1. I am registered unaffiliated, may I vote in a Primary Election?

You may register with any political party recognized in the State of North Carolina. Party affiliation determines the primary in which a voter is eligible to vote. You may also register as unaffiliated. If you do not declare a party on your registration application, you will be registered as unaffiliated. During a partisan primary election, an unaffiliated voter may vote a party ballot only if the party authorizes unaffiliated voters to vote in their primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose to participate in one party’s primary; Democratic, Libertarian, or Republican. Unaffiliated voters aged 18+ within the Orange County school district may choose to vote the Nonpartisan ballot.

2. When is the deadline to register to vote in an election?

If mailed, the registration form must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election. If hand-delivered, the registration form must be received at the Board of Elections office no later than 5 p.m. on the 25th day prior to the election.

3. When are the polls open?

The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day

4. How do I know where to vote?

Registration

When you register to vote or make an address change or information change, or if the Board of Elections assigns you to a new precinct, you will receive a voter verification card. Your precinct and polling place location is printed on the card. You are assigned a polling place based on the precinct where you live. The voter information is updated daily. You may determine your registration status and voting location.

Change of Address

If you have moved from the residence address that we have on file, complete a voter registration form found at this link to registration info and mail to:
Orange County Board of Elections
P.O. Box 220
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Do not wait until Election Day to change your address. You may experience a delay in voting if your residence address is not up to date or if we have sent mail to your voter registration address that was returned to us by the Postal Service.

5. I drive by a polling place on my way to work. Can I just vote there?

You should vote at your designated polling place on Election Day. Your name will be on the list of voters verified to vote in that precinct.

6. If my citizenship rights are restored, do I have to prove it or apply in any special way?

No, just re-register within the time limits of the election.

7. Can people who will be 18 by Election Day register and vote in the primaries as well as the general election?

Yes, those aged 17 who will be 18 by the General Election may register and vote; however, they are not allowed to vote on any non-primary races (such as Orange County School Board) or referendum if they haven’t turned 18 by the Primary. (G.S. 163-59).

8. What are the rules for residency if I still have stuff at my parents' or some other previous address?

The citizen / voter must determine where they consider their home to be. That address is the residence address for registering and voting.

9. Can I do any part of registering on-line?

Only if you are an existing NC DMV customer. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx
Those who are not existing DMV customers may obtain a Registration Application from the State Board of Elections website, complete the form and mail it to the Orange County Board of Elections office. You may also complete the form in person at the county board of elections office, or call 919-245-2350 and we will be glad to mail you a registration application.

Mailing Address
Orange County Board of Elections
P.O. Box 220
Hillsborough, NC. 27278

Physical Address
208 S Cameron Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278

10. What do I do if I go to the wrong polling place and don't have time to go to the right one?

You should make your best effort to get to your correct polling place by 7:30 p.m. Election Day. Voters who appear on Election Day in their correct county but in an incorrect precinct may cast a Provisional Ballot. These ballots will be counted for all contests in which the voter is eligible to participate. Any voter may request to vote a Provisonal Ballot regardless of the situation.

11. What do I do if they can't find me on the registration book and I'm sure I've registered?

After the precinct official has called the Board of Elections office and we are still unable to locate your registration information, you may vote a Provisional Ballot. We research all Provisional Ballot information after the Election and prior to County Canvass. Any qualified Provisional Voter's Ballot is counted and added to the official totals at the time of Canvass by the Board of Elections.
Prior to the Election, you may want to check online to verify your registration.

12. What if my name or address has been entered incorrectly on the registration rolls?

You should contact the Board of Elections in writing to have this correction made. If the error is realized during Early Voting or on Election Day, precinct officials have forms that you may complete and leave with them so that the correction to your voter record can be made.

13. Unaffiliated voters can vote in any Party primary, right?

The Democrat, Republican and Libertarian parties allow Unaffiliated voters to vote in their Party Primary Elections. The Unaffiliated Voter may choose one party's ballot or they may choose to vote a Non-Partisan Ballot. Voting a party ballot will not change the voter’s party affiliation.

14. If I am Unaffiliated, does it matter if I choose a different party from the last time I voted?

If there is a Second Primary, you may only vote the party ballot that you voted in the First Primary. In General Elections, everyone gets the same ballot regardless of party affiliation.

In any future Primary Elections, Unaffiliated voters may chose a different party from the last Primary Election.

15. Do I have to re-register to change my party affiliation?

You must complete a new Registration Application each time you wish to change party affiliation. Or, if you have your voter verification card that was mailed to you when you registered, there is a place for you to change your party affiliation. You may complete the back of that and submit it to the Board of Elections. A new verification card will be mailed to you.

16. If, for any reason, I'm told I can't vote and I believe I have registered properly, what do I do?

You should be allowed to vote a Provisional Ballot. No person should be denied the right to vote a provisional ballot. Do not leave the precinct without a precinct official or you contacting the Elections Office concerning your situation.

17. What is a Provisional Voter?

A Provisional voter is one who appears at a polling place on election day, claims to have registered to vote, but does not appear on the registration lists.

18. When will the early voting sites open?

Early Voting (One-Stop Voting) begins the 3rd Thursday (20 days) prior to Election Day. More specific information is available on our website under Early Voting.

19. If I want to vote absentee by mail, when is the deadline to get in my request?

The last day to request by mail ballots is a week before the Election (the Tuesday prior to Election Day). The request must be in the BOE office by 5 p.m. Requests must be submitted on the SBOE-mandated form which is available on our website and the State Board website.

20. Can I apply for an absentee ballot for my child away at college if s/he is registered to vote here?

A near relative (spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent or stepchild) may request absentee ballots for a voter using the absentee ballot request form on our website or on the State Board website. The ballot must be mailed to the voter from the Board of Elections office. The voter must vote their ballot, complete their application envelope according to instructions provided, and mail or hand-deliver it back to the BOE office. The near-relative may also return the ballot to the BOE office for the voter.

21. Can someone else bring in an absentee ballot for the voter who is out of town?

Once the voter has voted and completed their application envelope according to instructions provided, it can be returned to our office by mail or in person by the voter, the voters near relative or verifiable legal guardian. (G.S. 163-231(b))

22. If I am guardian to a person who is mentally disabled, can I vote for him or her the way I know s/he would want to vote?

No. Although it is okay to physically assist a voter, all voters must be able to make their own decision about their ballot choices.

23. If I am in the military or live overseas, how do I vote absentee?

There are different rules for military versus overseas citizens. Neither must be registered prior to voting in Federal Elections, however, overseas un-registered voters must submit an FPCA form (Federal Post Card Application) in order to receive ballots. Military and Overseas (UOCAVA) voters may use the online portal to register and request absentee ballots. They can download a form from the Federal Voting Assistance Program website  or obtain an FPCA form from an Embassy or Consulate. Military citizens may request in writing stating they are military or they may submit an FPCA form. The request should be mailed to the last county in which they resided (regardless of registration status).

24. Can I find out online how I can vote absentee?

Yes. Visit our website, and choose the Absentee Voting By Mail page.

25. Will the voter registration form be available in Braille or other languages?

Federal law does not require that Braille materials of any type be provided. However, a Braille template may be made available and provided upon special request to the State Board of Elections. Ballot marking instructions are available in English and Spanish for certain precincts required by law to have them.

26. Can I go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office to register to vote?

Only those persons having DMV business, may register to voter at the DMV office.

27. If a voter is physically disabled, can they ask someone to help them mark their ballot?

Yes, any voter who would like someone’s assistance in order to vote may ask for it. The voter must request this assistance himself or herself. Precinct Officials nor anyone else should offer assistance, even if it may appear obvious that the voter needs assistance. (G.S. 163-166.8)

28. How do I become a high school Student Election Assistant on Election Day?

Any high school student at least 17 years of age and in good academic standing, and with permission from parents and principal, should complete this Application for Student Assistant (PDF) and submit it to your local County Board of Elections. Approved students will be paid for training and work.