REGISTERING TO VOTE IN NORTH CAROLINA

Overview

Learn about the political affiliations recognized by our state and how your selection impacts your vote. Registered voters can use the Voter Search to confirm their party affiliation. Individuals that have not registered to vote yet can learn how to do so at How to Register.

Do you wish to change your party affiliation? The civilian voter registration deadline (25 days before Election Day) is also the deadline for voters to change their party affiliation or unaffiliated status for the next election. Learn how to do so at Updating Registration.

5 Political Parties

North Carolina recognizes five political parties: The Democratic Party, the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, the No Labels Party, and the Republican Party. A voter may choose one political party or can decide not to register with a political party. If a voter does not register with a political party, the voter will be registered as unaffiliated.

In a partisan primary, voters affiliated with a political party may only vote their party’s ballot and may not vote in another party’s primary. For example, a registered Republican may only vote in the Republican Party primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose the Democratic, Libertarian, Republican, or nonpartisan ballot (if available) in a primary election. The Green Party and the No Labels Party have not opened their primaries to unaffiliated voters.

The State Board of Elections recognized the No Labels Party in August 2023.  The State Board is updating voter registration forms to include the No Labels Party option. Until then, voters may register with the No Labels Party by checking the “Other” box and writing “No Labels” on the line in the “Political Party Affiliation” section of the voter registration application. Updates to party affiliation options available through the Division of Motor Vehicles’ online registration portal will be made as soon as possible.

In a general election, voters may vote for the candidate(s) of their choice, regardless of party. North Carolina does not allow straight-ticket voting (also called straight-party voting)


On this page, find the voter registration deadline and learn about the ways to register to vote. For voter qualifications, visit Who Can Register. If you need information about making changes to your existing voter registration, please see Updating Registration.

Voter Registration Deadline

In 2023, there are three different voter registration deadlines, depending on the municipal election date. In North Carolina, the civilian voter registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day.

  • The voter registration deadline is August 18, 2023, for municipal elections taking place on September 12, 2023.
  • The voter registration deadline is September 15, 2023, for municipal elections taking place on October 10, 2023.
  • The voter registration deadline is October 13, 2023, for municipal elections taking place on November 7, 2023.

Find additional information at Voter Registration Deadlines.

If you miss the registration deadline, you may be eligible to register and vote or make changes to your voter registration (anything other than party affiliation) and vote during the early voting period. 

Learn more at Register in Person During Early Voting.

For information about the 2023 elections, visit Upcoming Election.

Ways to Register to Vote

If you’re eligible to register to vote, North Carolina offers two primary ways to register:

  1. Online or in person at the DMV.
  2. By mail.

Overview of the Ways to Register










Learn about the ways to register to vote in North Carolina.

UPDATING YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION

Overview

On this page, find out how to update your voter registration information online or by mail to reflect a change of address, party affiliation, or name, or how to cancel your registration. For guidance on topics such as what to do if you move close to an election, see the section on updating your voter registration at FAQ: Voter Registration.

Changes to your registration are due by the voter registration deadline, 25 days before Election Day. If you miss the voter registration deadline, you may be eligible to make changes to your voter registration (anything other than party affiliation) when you vote in person during the early voting period. Find more information at Register in Person During Early Voting.

Update Your Registration Online

Existing N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) customers can update their voter registration through its online voter registration application. They can use the online application to update:

  • Address
  • Party affiliation

Customers may not use the online voter registration service to change their name. Find more details at Complete Your Registration Online Through the DMV.

Update Your Registration by Mail

North Carolina residents can use the voter registration application or the change form on their voter registration card to update:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Party affiliation

The application must be signed and sent to the appropriate county board of elections. A wet ink (physical) signature on the voter registration application is not required for updates. Find more details at Complete Your Registration by Mail.

Cancel Registration

Those that want to cancel their voter registration or report a deceased voter can find more information at Cancel Registration.