Want to vote by mail? Everything you need to know about absentee ballots in NC
Absentee voting is allowed in North Carolina’s statewide primary on May 17. There are no special circumstances required to vote by mail, but you will need two witnesses (or a notary) to verify your ballot.
Here’s everything you need to know to vote by mail in the upcoming election.
How do I get a mail-in/absentee ballot in NC?
The State Board of Elections has details on how to request and return a mailed absentee ballot in North Carolina (ncsbe.gov/voting).
Request a ballot: Your first step is to request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form:
- Online: Through the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal (votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home). Choose “Option 1: Request an Absentee Ballot” at the bottom of the page.
- On paper: Use the English N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF) or the English N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (non-fillable print-only PDF) or the Spanish N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF). These request forms can be mailed or returned in person to your county board of elections.
What you’ll need: You must provide your date of birth and one of the following as a form of identification:
- North Carolina driver license number or NCDMV issued identification card number; or
- Last four digits of your Social Security number.
The request form must be signed by either the voter or the voter’s near relative, or legal guardian. A typed signature is not allowed.
Who can request an absentee/mail-in ballot for me?
- A near (or close) relative or legal guardian may request a ballot on behalf of the voter.
- A near (or close) relative is considered to be the voter’s: spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild.
Once the voter has the request form, they can be assisted by a near (or close) relative or verifiable legal guardian.
(Note: If the voter is blind, disabled, or unable to read or write, and there is not a near relative or legal guardian available to assist that voter, the voter may request some other person to give assistance. That person must complete the assistance section of the absentee request form. Blind or visually impaired voters who need assistance with the absentee portal can contact Matt Stone, ADA Coordinator, at ADACoordinator@ncsbe.gov or 919-805-1302.
Deadlines for absentee / mail-in ballots in NC
- May 10, 2022 is the deadline for civilians to submit an absentee ballot request form for the 2022 statewide primary.
- May 17, 2022, which is Election Day for the 2022 statewide primary, is the civilian absentee ballot return deadline. Your ballot will be counted if returned after that date only if the envelope is postmarked on or before May 17, 2022, and it is received by mail no later than 5 p.m. on the Friday after the election. Ballots without a postmark must be received by Election Day.
How to complete and return your mail-in absentee ballot in NC
- Ballot: Once you receive your ballot, complete the ballot in front of a notary or two witnesses. The witness should verify that you filled out your ballot, but should not see who you’re voting for.
- Place your ballot in the absentee ballot return envelope that came with your ballot, and sign your name on the back of the envelope. Each witness also needs to sign the back of the envelope and write their name and address on it. If someone helps you fill out or mail the ballot, that person also needs to sign the Voter Assistant Certification on the back of the envelope, and include their name and address.
- Return your ballot to your county board of elections. You can do this through the U.S. Postal Service (use a .58 cent or Forever stamp) or through a commercial courier service (UPS, FedEx, etc), or you can drop it off in person at an early voting site in your county. You (or a near/close relative) must return the ballot. Do not give your ballot to a friend or neighbor to return.
Who can be a witness? Anyone who is 18 years of age or older can be a witness except a candidate (unless the candidate is your near relative or legal guardian). You can also use one notary instead of two witnesses.
Who can assist patients? Voters who are patients in a hospital, clinic, nursing home or adult care home or facility may receive assistance from a Multipartisan Assistance Team (MAT). A MAT is a group appointed by a county board of elections to assist voters in facilities with mail-in absentee voting and visits by a MAT group are coordinated by the county board of elections. From NCBOE: “It is unlawful for any owner, manager, director, or employee of the facility other than the voter’s near relative, verifiable legal guardian, or member of a MAT to request an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter.”
What is the difference between an absentee ballot and a mail-in ballot?
In North Carolina there is no practical difference between a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot. The terms are interchangeable.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections has clarified that in the state of North Carolina, any registered voter can request an absentee ballot by-mail without needing a reason.
How do I know my mail-in ballot was received and counted?
Just as in the 2020 election, absentee mail-in voters in North Carolina will be able to track their ballots for the May 17 statewide primary election using BallotTrax.
BallotTrax updates the voter as their ballot moves through the process. Those voting by mail will need to create an account at BallotTrax: North Carolina (northcarolina.ballottrax.net/voter) to use the service.
The state says that more than 400,000 N.C. voters signed up for BallotTrax in 2020. If you signed up for BallotTrax in 2020 or 2021, you should still be in the system and you will not have to sign up again unless you moved to a different county.
What happens if there’s a problem with my mail-in/absentee ballot?
▪ A ballot might not be accepted for many reasons: The ballot return envelope could be missing the voter’s or witness’ signature, or it could arrive after the deadline or postmarked after the deadline.
▪ If there’s a problem with your absentee ballot, the Board of Elections will notify you via email or text message using contact information listed on the ballot request form. If your vote is not successfully cast, you have the opportunity to vote in person during the voting period.
What if I never get the ballot I requested?
▪ If it has been more than one week since you requested your absentee ballot, the State Board of Elections recommends calling your county board of elections to check on the status of your ballot.
▪ If you requested your ballot and it has not arrived yet, you can vote in person, either on Election Day or during the early voting period. You do not need to ask your county board of elections to spoil your ballot, as it will be automatically spoiled once your in-person vote is recorded. If you receive your absentee ballot after you’ve already voted, you can discard it, the State Board of Elections told The News & Observer.
Get more information on voting by mail at ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail.
This story was originally published April 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Want to vote by mail? Everything you need to know about absentee ballots in NC."
