North Carolina's general election: Key dates and deadlines voters need to know

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Election season is here and North Carolina is a key battleground state.

Citizens who want to cast their ballot by mail or on Election Day must register to vote by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

Citizens who miss that deadline may register and vote at the same time during the 17-day, in-person early voting period at any early voting site in their county. The early voting period begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2.

Important note: Some sites and schedules are likely to change in some counties affected by Hurricane Helene. If you live in one of those counties, please check the Early Voting Site Search closer to the start of early voting.

"We encourage all eligible individuals to register and vote for this important election," said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. "Registering is easy, and there is still time to register to make your voice heard."

Absentee Voting

Due to a state law passed in 2023, a voter's absentee ballot must arrive at the county board of elections by 7:30 pm on Election Day, which is this upcoming Tuesday, November 5. The NC State Board of Elections is reminding voters that there is no more "mail grace period," however. Absentee ballots must arrive by Election Day. Period.

Election 2024 is the first general election under the new absentee ballot deadline and they are stressing to all absentee voters who have not turned in their ballots to act now. "North Carolinians who are voting by mail should not wait any longer to turn in their ballot," said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board. "Under the new law, your county board must have your ballot in hand by Election Day to count it."

If an absentee voter wants to use the U.S. Postal Service to mail their ballot in, they should do so TODAY, Thursday, October 31. There are only a few days remaining for the ballot to make it to the county board office.

If a voter is unable to put their ballot into the mail today, they still have options.

The voter or their near relative can:

• Send their ballot overnight or express using the postal service or private delivery service. It must be addressed to the voter's county board of elections.

• Hand-deliver the ballot to any early voting site in the county where the voter is registered to vote. The in-person early voting period ends at 3 p.m. Saturday. For sites and schedules, see Early Voting Site Search.

• Drop their ballot off at your county board of elections office during operating hours by 7:30 p.m. November 5. For county board address and contact information, see County Board of Elections Search.

Under state law, a "near relative" is a spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild. If a voter needs assistance returning their ballot due to a disability, such a disabled voter may designate any person to return their ballot.

Of course, the voter may decide to vote in person instead, either at an early voting site in the voter's county or at the voter's Election Day precinct voting site. If they do so, they may simply discard their unused absentee ballot. The state elections system will not allow an absentee ballot to be accepted if the same voter has voted in person, because it is illegal to vote twice. In-person early voting runs through Saturday, November 2. Sites and schedules vary by county.

The cost to return an absentee ballot by mail through the U.S. Postal Service has increased to $1.77, or three "Forever" stamps.

Sample ballots are available here.

Here are some key dates and deadlines to know for the 2024 general election in North Carolina:

Important Note: Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.

Oct. 11: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.). Voter registration FAQ
Oct. 17: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available.
Oct. 29: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.). However, election officials recommend requesting and returning your ballot sooner to ensure it can be completed and received by the county board of elections by the return deadline.
Nov. 2: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
Nov. 5: General Election Day
Nov. 5: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).

Requirements for Registering

To register to vote, a person:

• Must be a U.S. citizen;

• Will have lived at the North Carolina residence identified on their registration form for 30 days before Election Day;

• Must be at least 18 years old or will be by the date of the general election; and

• Must not be currently serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole

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If you request a ballot by mail but do not return it, you can still vote in person during the early voting period (October 17 through November 2) or on Election Day. Simply discard your absentee ballot.

NOTE: Video is from a previous report.