North Carolina: Hurricane-Related Voter Assistance
Because of Hurricane Helene, many people have been displaced from their homes. They may need to deal with re-located polling places, delayed or interrupted postal service, and lost or inaccessible identification documents.
North Carolina has taken steps to help voters impacted by natural disasters cast a ballot. North Carolina has updated voting option for Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, or Yancey.
Resources for voters in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene
October 16 updated options for voters affected by Hurricane Helene
Todavia hay tiempo para votar en las elecciones generales de 2024, incluso si tuvo que mudarse debido a la tormenta. Puede registrarse en un sitio de votación temprana en su condado. Consulte la información a continuación para determiner la mejor opción para usted.
Votantes afectados por el Huracán Helene: Tienen Opciones para votar
Find the answers to some frequently asked questions.
You can register to vote or update your registration at any early voting site in your county up to the last day of early voting, November 2, at 3 pm. You can also update your name or address within the same county if necessary. You will need an official document showing your address to register to vote. Your official proof of address may also be an electronic copy. Early voting is open from October 17 to November 2.
In North Carolina, voters may receive their ballots by mail. To apply for an absentee ballot, submit your request by October 29, 2024, 5 p.m. There are separate options and timelines for active military and overseas voters, voters with disabilities, and voters in hurricane-impacted counties.
If you are a voter in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, or Yancey County, you have additional options to request an absentee ballot.
You may request a ballot as soon as possible at votebymail.ncsbe.gov or fill out an absentee request form and either mail it or drop it off at your county board of elections office.
You or your near relative or legal guardian may go in person to your county’s election office to complete the absentee request form and pick up the ballot.
If you visit your county board of elections office during business hours, you may request an absentee ballot, and complete it at the same time until November 4 at 5 p.m.
Board of Elections offices:
County | Contact info |
---|---|
Alexander County | 370 1st Avenue, SW Taylorsville, NC 28681 (828) 632-2990 |
Alleghany County | 48 S. Main St. Lower Level 0 Sparta, NC, 28675 (336) 372-4557 |
Ashe County | 134 Government Circle Jefferson, NC 28640 (336) 846-5570 |
Avery County | Avery County Courthouse Annex at 200 Montezuma Street Newland, NC 28657 (828) 733-8282 |
Buncombe County | 59 Woodfin Place Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 250-4200 |
Burke County | 2128 S Sterling Street Suite 100 Morganton, NC 28655 (828) 764-9010 |
Caldwell County | 120 Hospital Avenue Lenoir, NC 28645 (828) 757-1342 |
Catawba County | 145 Government Drive Newton, NC 28658 (828) 464-2424 |
Clay County | 75 Riverside Circle, Suite 3 Hayesville, NC 28904 (828) 389-6812 |
Cleveland County | 215 Patton Drive Shelby, NC 28150 (704) 484-4858 |
Gaston County | 410 W. Franklin Blvd. Suite 50 Gastonia, NC 28052 (704) 852-6005 |
Haywood County | 63 Elmwood Way, Suite A Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 452-6633 |
Henderson County | 75 E. Central Street Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 697-4970 |
Jackson County | 876 Skyland Drive Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 586-7538 |
Lincoln County | 451 Salem Church Rd. Lincolnton, NC 28092 (704) 736-8480 |
Macon County | 5 West Main Street Franklin, NC 28734 (828) 349-2034 |
Madison County | Suite E, Room 1, 5707 US 25-70 Hwy Marshall, NC 28753 (828) 649-3731 |
McDowell County | 2458 NC Hwy 226 Marion, NC 28752 (828) 659-0834 |
Mitchell County | 11 North Mitchell Ave, Room 108 Bakersville, NC 28705 (828) 688-3101 |
Polk County | Bryant H. Womack Building 40 Courthouse Street PO Box 308 Columbus, NC 28722 (828) 894-3301 |
Rutherford County | 298 Fairground Road Spindale, NC 28160 (828) 287-6030 |
Transylvania County | 150 S. Gaston St. - Suite A Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 884-3114 |
Watauga County | Watauga County Board of Elections 842 W. King St, Suite 6 Boone, NC 28607 (828) 265-8061 |
Wilkes County | 110 North Street Room 315 Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (336) 651-7560 |
Yancey County | 30 East U.S. Highway 19-E Bypass, Suite 2 Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 682-3950 |
In North Carolina, if you are returning your mail ballot to the county board of elections office in the county where you are registered, you may do so by mail, commercial carrier service, in person at your county board of elections office, or at an open early voting site in your county.
Because of potential hurricane impacts on mail delivery, check to be sure you are mailing your ballot early enough to be received by Election Day, November 5 at 7:30 p.m.
North Carolina voters in one of the 25 affected counties have multiple options to return their absentee ballot:
- You, or a near relative or legal guardian, may hand deliver your absentee ballot in person to any North Carolina county board of elections office or the State Board of Elections office in Raleigh. It must be received by November 5 at 7:30 p.m.
- You may deliver your absentee ballot in person to any North Carolina Early Voting site during operating hours.
- You may mail your absentee ballot by U.S. Postal Service or commercial courier service (DHL, FedEx, or UPS) to your county elections office. The ballot must be received by November 5 at 7:30 p.m. Because of potential hurricane impacts on mail delivery, check to be sure you are mailing your ballot early enough to be received by Election Day.
United States Postal delivery service interruption alerts
October 16 updated options for voters affected by Hurricane Helene
North Carolina provides two options to vote in person:
- Early voting locations are open Thursday, October 17 through Saturday, November 2. Early voting centers hours will vary depending on the location and day.
- You can vote at your polling place voting on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Polling places are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Any voter in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote.
In North Carolina, voters must bring their photo ID to vote in person, or they must provide a photocopy of their photo ID when returning their mail ballot. If you have lost the documents needed to establish identification to vote, North Carolina provides three options:
- You may go to a voting location in person and request an ID Exception Form. This will allow you to receive a provisional ballot to vote.
- You may go to your county board of elections office, and if you are registered, they will take your photo and print an acceptable ID for you on the spot. For this option, you must provide your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
- You may receive a free ID from a North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. You must bring a document verifying your age and identity, a social security card or a document proving your social security number, and one document proving your residency.