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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.

Search for your early voting site

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.

Request an absentee ballot

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:

CountyContact info
Alexander County370 1st Avenue, SW
Taylorsville, NC 28681
(828) 632-2990
Alleghany County48 S. Main St.
Lower Level 0
Sparta, NC, 28675
(336) 372-4557
Ashe County134 Government Circle
Jefferson, NC 28640
(336) 846-5570
Avery CountyAvery County Courthouse Annex at 200 Montezuma Street
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-8282
Buncombe County59 Woodfin Place
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 250-4200
Burke County2128 S Sterling Street
Suite 100
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 764-9010
Caldwell County120 Hospital Avenue
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 757-1342
Catawba County145 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-2424
Clay County75 Riverside Circle, Suite 3
Hayesville, NC 28904
(828) 389-6812
Cleveland County215 Patton Drive
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 484-4858
Gaston County410 W. Franklin Blvd.
Suite 50
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-6005
Haywood County63 Elmwood Way, Suite A
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 452-6633
Henderson County75 E. Central Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 697-4970
Jackson County876 Skyland Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-7538
Lincoln County451 Salem Church Rd.
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-8480
Macon County5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 349-2034
Madison CountySuite E, Room 1, 5707 US 25-70 Hwy
Marshall, NC 28753
(828) 649-3731
McDowell County2458 NC Hwy 226
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0834
Mitchell County11 North Mitchell Ave, Room 108
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 688-3101
Polk CountyBryant H. Womack Building
40 Courthouse Street
PO Box 308
Columbus, NC 28722
(828) 894-3301
Rutherford County298 Fairground Road
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 287-6030
Transylvania County150 S. Gaston St. - Suite A
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-3114
Watauga CountyWatauga County Board of Elections
842 W. King St, Suite 6
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 265-8061
Wilkes County110 North Street
Room 315
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 651-7560
Yancey County30 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.

United States Postal delivery service interruption alerts

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.

Find your Election Day polling place

Find an early voting location

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.

NC Voter ID rules

Information about getting a free ID

North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID information

Updated October 30, 2024