Election 2024: What to know about mail-in ballots in North Carolina
The 2024 primary election in North Carolina takes place on Tuesday, March 5. Many voters will choose to vote in-person at their assigned polling location, but what if you need to vote by mail or are unable to get to the polls on Election Day? Here is your guide to all things mail-in ballots in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Who qualifies for a mail-in ballot?
Any registered North Carolina voter can request a mail-in ballot. Voters do not need to provide an excuse to receive one. Ballots are not automatically sent to registered voters; they must be requested.
How do I request a mail-in ballot?
Voters can request a mail-in ballot be sent to their residence through the State Board of Elections website or by mail with a form available on the elections website.
What are the deadlines?
Requests for mail-in ballots must be sent in by the Tuesday before Election Day. For the primary election taking place on Tuesday, March 5, the deadline for mail-in ballot requests is Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Completed mail-in ballots must arrive at the county board of elections office by 7:30 p.m. March 5, Election Day. There is no grace period for ballots postmarked by Election Day that do not arrive on time.
What if I didn't get it in time?
If a voter requested a mail-in ballot and did not receive it within the deadline, they can still vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day. But voters cannot vote in-person and by mail.
Mail-in vs absentee?
The terms mail-in ballot and absentee ballot are often used interchangeably to describe a voter who votes by mail not on Election Day. Technically, voters who cast a ballot during early in-person voting are casting an absentee ballot because they are voting not on Election Day.
Can I change my mind and vote in person?
Yes. However, voters should only vote either in-person or by mail-in ballot, never both. Once the mail-in ballot is returned, voters cannot vote again in-person and vice versa. Voting twice in one election is a crime.
How do I track my mail-in ballot?
Voters can track the progress of their ballot through the BallotTrax system. If there is an issue or deficiency with the ballot, the board of elections will contact them.
Can I return my mail-in ballot in-person?
Yes. Voters can return their mail-in ballot in-person at their respective county board of elections office or at their county's early voting location. Voters can find their in-person early voting location on the elections website and their county board of elections office.
Can someone else request a mail-in ballot on my behalf?
Yes. Near relatives and legal guardians can request a mail-in ballot on behalf of a voter. This includes parents requesting mail-in ballots for their college students. For persons with a disability, anyone can request a mail-in ballot on their behalf.
Do I need postage when returning my ballot?
Yes. Mail-in ballots require $1.63 in return postage, which could be three Forever stamps.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What to know mail-in ballots in North Carolina
