Accessible Voting in North Carolina
For the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 General Election in North Carolina
- In North Carolina, there are changes to voter ID requirements. Learn more at VoteRiders.
- In North Carolina, check with your state or local election officials for information about voting response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
- In North Carolina, there may be changes to mail voting rules. Check the instructions carefully to be sure your ballot counts.
- In North Carolina, there is a question about citizenship and voting on the ballot.
Voting Information
Visit your state Help for Voters with Disabilities page
Phone: (919) 814-0700
Contact your local election office for polling places and other information.
Read the REV UP voting guide for your state
Register to vote
- Voter registration in North Carolina
- Deadlines and information in 18 languages at vote.gov
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
Organizations that can help If you can't find the information you need at your state or local election office.
- Contact your local Center for Independent Living
- Contact your state National Disability Rights Network office.
- Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting
Other websites for voting information
- REV UP Voting Guides for voting info and plain language definitions
- VoteRiders for Voter ID requirements
- Vote.gov for information about registering to vote
- Vote411.org for what’s on your ballot
Voting features in North Carolina for voters with disabilities
- Sign up each year to receive a ballot by mail for all elections
- Voters with print disabilities can use an accessible vote-by-mail system.
Self-advocacy! Ask your local election office about:
- Information in large print, audio, or Braille versions
- Curbside or drive-up voting.
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program
- How to practice using the accessible voting system
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill
- How to get assistance voting
- Other services for voters with disabilities
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
October 17 through November 2, early voting is available at early voting sites and your local election office during business hours Monday through Friday.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- Same-day registration is available at designated early voting locations.
- You can drop off your ballot at all early voting locations for your jurisdiction.
Find an early voting center near you.
Learn what ID you can use at VoteRiders
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Polling places are open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
You can drop off your mail ballot at your local elections office on Election Day.
Find your polling place.
Same-day registration is available at your local elections office.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in North Carolina are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
AutoMARK
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on the front of the device.
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using an AutoMARK
- Short video from Wisconsin Elections (YouTube 3:55)
- Video from NY City Board of Elections (YouTube 13:47)
ES&S ExpressVote
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The printed ballot is a list of selections printed on a narrow card.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using ExpressVote
- Short video tutorial from Pennsylvania (YouTube 1:53)
- Video from Michigan (You Tube 12:29)
- Information about ExpressVote from Pennsylvania
Hart InterCivic Verity Touch Writer
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls using the Hart “move wheel.”
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
The ballot is cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
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Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 5, for mailed ballots.
How to get your ballot
- All voters can request a ballot.
- All voters must request a ballot for each election.
- Voters with disabilities can sign up to receive a ballot for all elections in a year.
To get your ballot you can:
- Request a ballot online.
- Download, print, and mail a request form.
- You must provide the number from your state-issued photo ID, such as your driver's license.
- If you don't have a state-issued photo ID, you can use your Social Security Number.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At your local elections office
At an early voting location
Find a ballot drop-off location near you at your local elections website.
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
Put enough postage on the envelope.
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
Two people or a notary must also sign as a witness.
Return your ballot promptly. Postmarks don't count.
- A family member, household member, or caregiver can return your ballot for you. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- Voters with disabilities can appoint someone to return their ballot for them. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
There is a statewide accessible vote by mail program in North Carolina called Accessible Absentee Voting
- You can use accessible vote by mail if you have a disability that prevents you from marking a paper ballot.
Blind or visually impaired voters in North Carolina, may request, mark, and return an accessible absentee ballot online.
There are detailed instructions on the elections website for how to:
- Request your accessible ballot online
- Your local elections office will email you when your ballot is ready
- Mark your ballot in the presence of two witnesses
- Sign and submit your ballot
There is an Absentee Demo Ballot Portal you can use to see how the system works.
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 5, for mailed ballots.
Returning a printed ballot
The Accessible Absentee Ballot is returned through a secure online portal.
When you have finished marking the ballot
- Digitally sign the voter certification with your finger, mouse, or stylus. You can type your name if you cannot sign
- Your two witnesses or assistant must complete a form and digitally sign their names
- Submit your ballot
Returning your ballot electronically
You have the option for electronic ballot return:
- Through a secure portal
The systems in use in North Carolina for accessible voting by mail are:
Learn more about accessible voting options in North Carolina