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Tar Heels Vote!

Your hub for nonpartisan information on voting, empowering your community, and democratic engagement.

Keep reading to learn answers to key questions and find voting resources on campus.

Information and resources

Registering to vote

Registering to vote in North Carolina is a straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to detail and deadlines. Whether you are registering for the first time or updating your information, here is what you need to know.

Am I eligible to register to vote?

To register in North Carolina, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Live in the county you are registering and have resided there for at least 30 days before Election Day
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Not serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole.

Can I register with an on-campus address?

In North Carolina, a college student may register and vote in the county where they go to college if they are physically present in the college community and do not intend to return to their home community after graduation. For more information, please visit the N.C. State Board of Elections website to learn about voter registration as a college student. If you would like to register at an on-campus address such as a residence hall, Rams Village Apartments or Baity Hill Apartments, follow the address format on Carolina Housing’s website.

Out of state

Methods to register to vote may vary from state to state. You can visit your State Board of Elections website to find specific requirements.

Reach out to lead@unc.edu if you need help finding information, or if you have a paper voter registration form you need to mail to your local Board of Elections. Student Life and Leadership will happily provide postage to mail your form.

Voting in person

In North Carolina, there are two ways to vote in person: during early voting or on Election Day.

Early voting

During early voting, you can cast your ballot at any early voting location in the county you are registered to vote in. Early voting schedules and locations will be posted on the local Board of Elections website closer to Election Day.

The early voting period also typically has Saturday and/or Sunday hours, which can be an excellent option to make time to vote with busy class or work schedules.

Early voting also offers same-day voter registration: If you did not register to vote by the deadline, moved and forgot to update your address, or potentially submitted an incomplete registration, you can register to vote and cast your ballot on the same day during the early voting period.

You must bring an accepted photo ID. If you plan to register to vote during the early voting period, you must also bring proof of residency.

The physical One Card is an accepted form of photo ID. The Mobile One Card is NOT an accepted form of photo ID to vote.

Election Day

On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling location. You will only be able to vote on Election Day if you are already registered to vote and you are at the polling location assigned to you. You must bring an accepted Photo ID.

The physical One Card is an accepted form of photo ID. The Mobile One Card is NOT an accepted form of photo ID to vote.

Know your rights

Do I need to show a Photo ID to vote?

Voter ID requirements vary by state. In North Carolina, you can use some of the following documents as an acceptable voter ID: N.C. driver’s license, N.C. State ID, Driver’s license/State ID from another state (only if voter is registered in N.C. at least 90 days prior to the Election), U.S. Passport or Passport Card, College or University Student ID Card (digital cards are not acceptable). For more information on Voter ID requirements, you can visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website.

If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID, you may submit a photo ID exemption form and cast a provisional ballot at your polling location.

What happens if I’m in line, but the poll site has closed?

If you were already standing in line waiting to vote or inside the polling place before the polling site was scheduled to close, then stay in line. You’re allowed to remain in line until you’re able to cast your vote.

Where do I go to vote?

During early voting, you can go to any voting location within your county. On Election Day, you must go to your assigned voting location, which is based on the address you have listed in your voter registration. Your polling location can always be found through the North Carolina Voter Lookup or on vote.org if you are registered in another state.

Voting by mail

Voting outside of North Carolina? Use American University’s helpful guide on requesting an absentee ballot in your state.

Nearby post offices/mailboxes

On UNC-Chapel Hill’s Campus:

To look up nearby post offices, visit the USPS website.

Where to get postage stamps

When voting by mail, it is important to ensure you have the correct postage with the ballot return envelope. In North Carolina, the postage is $1.90. Three forever stamps (73 cents apiece) will cover this. You can purchase stamps at any post office and even some major grocery stores, such as Walmart.

Student Life and Leadership will happily provide the required stamps needed for any student to mail an absentee ballot, free of charge. Stop by Carolina Union 2501 during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or email lead@unc.edu to arrange a time to pick up necessary postage.

Student Life and Leadership does NOT accept or mail ballots on behalf of any voter.

Midterms 2026

The midterm elections are happening in 2026, and your vote is more important than ever! Please see below for midterm-specific information, important dates and more.

Important dates

  • Sept. 4: Absentee ballots become available for request.
  • Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline, 5 p.m.
  • Oct. 15-31: Early voting period and same-day registration
  • Oct. 20: Deadline to request absentee ballot, 5 p.m.
  • Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 3: Deadline for absentee ballots to be received by county Board of Elections, 7:30 p.m.

What is on my ballot?

If you are voting in North Carolina, there is a lot to vote on this midterm cycle. Your ballot may differ based on where you vote, but races include:

  • One U.S. Senate seat
  • 14 U.S. House seats
  • One N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice seat
  • Three N.C. Court of Appeals Judge seats
  • Statewide referendum
  • 50 N.C. Senate seats
  • 120 N.C. House seats
  • Local judges and district attorneys
  • County offices such as sheriffs, county commissioners and Board of Education members
  • Municipal elections

Your full sample ballot can typically be previewed through the North Carolina Voter Lookup starting in September.

Important reminders

Even if you are registered to vote already, double check to make sure that your registration is up-to-date and accurately reflects your current address.

  • North Carolina voters should use the NC Voter Lookup.
  • Out-of-State voters should use their home state voter lookup or Vote.Gov to check their registration.

Make sure you have an accepted photo ID. A full list can be found on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

  • The address on your photo ID does not need to match the address where you are registered to vote.
  • Students with an out-of-state ID may use an out-of-state driver’s or non-driver’s license if they have registered to vote in North Carolina within 90 days of Election Day.

If you do not have an accepted photo ID, you have options to get one:

  • Starting in October, if you have never been issued a physical One Card, you may go to the One Card office in the Student Stores to request a One Card for voting. Students who may have previously been issued a One Card may be charged a $10 fee for a card re-print. One Cards issued to serve as a Voter ID do not have the internal chip technology that can be used for meal plans or accessing buildings.
  • You may go to the Board of Elections office in the county you are registered to vote in to receive a Voter ID free of charge. More information can be found on the Board of Elections website.

If you plan to vote by mail, request and return your absentee ballot as early as possible.

Help and support is available. Reach out to lead@unc.edu with any questions you have related to voting in the upcoming elections, or connect with any faculty or staff around campus who have a “Democracy Champion” placard by their office.

Get involved

Tar Heels Vote (for students)

The Tar Heels Vote! Initiative is a student-led, nonpartisan initiative coordinated by Student Life and Leadership, with the goal of engaging the campus community in democracy. THV provides an opportunity for students to learn more about civic engagement, voting, voter registration, and collaborates with other groups across campus to maintain a civically engaged Carolina community. Email lead@unc.edu to learn more, or look for Tar Heels Vote events hosted by Student Life and Leadership in HeelLife.

Faculty and staff: Take the Democracy Champions pledge

Democracy Champions are faculty and staff members who are trained in nonpartisan voter education and registration. Champions access to resource guides and workshops on supporting campus-wide democratic engagement. Read more about the Democracy Champions pledge.

Poll worker/election official volunteer information

Consider volunteering as an Elections Official. Learn more at the Get Involved in Elections page on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

Getting involved if you aren’t eligible to vote

Civic engagement isn’t just about voting. There are so many different ways to get involved:

  1. Host an event or program about an issue in your community that you are passionate about or want to raise awareness about. Attend Tar Heels Vote meetings and events to learn about elections and pass that knowledge along to folks you know that are eligible voters.
  2. Even if you cannot vote, you can still email or reach out to legislators or local officials that represent you or the district/county you live in to advocate for change you want to see.
  3. Talk to your friends and community members who may be eligible to vote, ask if they have a voting plan or need someone to walk or ride to the polls with them.
  4. Engage in service in your local community.

Helpful Links and resources

Voter Registration Training: Hosting a voter registration drive or interested in mobilizing students across campus to support voter registration? THV offers an asynchronous voter registration training that features a 15-minute video and four short multiple-choice questions. You can access the training on HeelLife.

North Carolina Board of Elections: If you have specific questions that have not been answered on this webpage and you’re registered to vote in North Carolina, please refer to the North Carolina Board of Elections website.

National Resources for Voters:

Frequently asked questions

Can I register to vote with my on-campus or off-campus address while attending UNC-Chapel Hill?

In North Carolina, a college student may register and vote in the county where they go to college if they are physically present in the college community and do not intend to return to their home community after graduation. If you attend UNC-Chapel Hill and live on or near campus, you would be eligible to register and vote with your local address that you reside at while attending.

For more information, please visit the N.C. State Board of Elections website to learn about voter registration as a college student. If you would like to register at an on-campus address such as a residence hall, Rams Village Apartments or Baity Hill Apartments, you can verify your on-campus address at Carolina Housing’s website.

What is the difference between early voting and Election Day?

Early voting allows eligible voters to cast their ballots during a specific time frame before Election Day. Early voting usually offers more flexibility, multiple days and locations, and shorter lines. Election Day voting happens on an official Election Day and at assigned polling places. You can also do same-day registration during early voting. There is less flexibility for Election Day voters, as polling hours are fixed, and locations are assigned. To look up specific dates and locations, please visit your Board of Elections site.

Who can vote in a primary election?

Eligible voters may vote in a primary election depending on party affiliation. North Carolina is considered a semi-closed state, which means that registered party members and unaffiliated voters can vote. Voters registered with an officially recognized party may only vote in their party’s primary. Unaffiliated voters will be asked to choose a party’s primary to vote in.

Not all parties may have a primary at any given time. Primary elections determine a candidate of choice for the party when there are multiple candidates running for the same position. Be sure to look at your sample ballot in advance of a primary.

Why does my vote matter?

Your vote matters in more ways than you think. Voting, on its own, is one of the simplest ways to shape the decisions that affect your day to day life. Locally, elections often are determined by narrow margins, even 10-15 votes could make a difference in outcomes. Outside of local elections, voting behavior has the ability to reflect the issues that communities care about.

Specifically, high participation around specific election campaigns and ballot measures reveals to policymakers that participants care a lot about these topics. Outside of voting for individual candidates, your community may have referendums or proposed amendments to the state constitution that determine laws or policies you get to weigh in on. Overall, voting ensures that community priorities are visible throughout legislative decision-making.