Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get Voter Registration Forms?

Pick up a form at any Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, any of the town halls, at the Board of Elections office (741 Kenilworth Ave., Ste 202) or on our website at http://www.meckboe.org/pages/Voter/RegistrationForm.html. Complete and sign the form and mail it to us. We’ll send a new voter card to you!

How do I change my address?

We must have one of two documents signed by the voter (an e-mail won’t do.) Either send us your voter card with the change of address indicated on the back or complete a voter registration application form, showing your new address, and send it to us. Make sure you sign the card/form! We’ll do the data entry and send a new voter card to you.

How do I change my party affiliation?

We must have one of two documents signed by the voter (an e-mail won’t do.) Either send us your voter card with the change marked on the back or complete a voter registration application form, showing the new party affiliation, and send it to us. Make sure you sign the card/form! We’ll do the data entry and send a new voter card to you.

What are the voting hours for Election Day?

Polls are open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm, North Carolina General Statute 163-166.01

If I am already in line when the precinct closes at 7:30 pm, can I vote?

Yes, if you are in line prior to the close of the precinct, you may vote. If you show up after 7:30 pm, you will not be allowed to vote.

Can I get transportation to the poll?

Voters should call either the Democratic Headquarters: 704-525-5843 or Republican Headquarters 704-334-9127 to request transportation. We do not provide transportation.

Where is the Board of Elections located?

741 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 202, Charlotte NC 28204. Click here for a map.

Can I vote at the Board of Elections on Election Day?

No, you must vote at your precinct on Election Day. Click here to find your precinct.

If you have moved...

You moved less than 30 days ago and don’t know where to vote.

If you moved less than 30 days ago, you must vote at your old precinct.

If you choose to vote at your new location, you will have to vote a paper provisional ballot; you will not be able to vote on the voting machine. Additionally, by showing up at the incorrect location, your ballot may be partially counted since you may not be voting for your correct jurisdictional representatives such as School Board, State House, City/County Commissioners, Senate representatives, etc.

You moved more than 30 days ago but didn’t get a new voter registration card, and don’t know where to vote.

If you changed your address with the BOE, you may go to your new precinct which we can verify for you here.

If you are at the old precinct, tell them where you have moved and they will refer you to your correct voting precinct.

I received 2 voter cards in the mail. Why? What should I do?

This probably indicates an error in our records, of which we need to become aware. Please send us both cards back, with a quick note explaining that both cards are for the same person, to P.O. Box 31788, Charlotte, NC 28231. We will research the situation, fix it and mail you a new card.

The mailman delivered a voter card to my house, but that person doesn't live here. What should I do?

Please return the voter card to us along with whatever information you have. If the individual has moved, we’ll try to contact them at the new address. Failing that, or if the individual is deceased, we’ll try to remove them from the voter registration files. Either way, you’ll be doing us a big service by letting us know.

You just moved to Mecklenburg County .... Can you vote today (on Election Day)?

If you are not registered to vote in Mecklenburg County you cannot vote on Election Day; however, during Early Voting you can register and vote on the same day. Same day registration is only offered during Early Voting.

Where do I vote?

Click here to find out where to vote.

Can you give me directions to where I vote?

Click here to find directions and maps.

Can I bring someone with me to help me vote?

Yes, according to the North Carolina General Statute 163-166.8

I’m legally blind; can someone accompany me in the voting booth?

Yes, anyone of your choice, except your employer or union agent

One of the Precinct Judges can assist you.

Can My Power of Attorney Vote For Me?

No. If you cannot make it to the polls, you can request an Absentee Ballot

Do I have to show I.D. at the Precinct to Vote?

NC Law only Requires ID if you did not provide the required information when you registered to vote (if by mail or voter registration drive).

Can I vote Absentee on Election Day?

No, Absentee Ballots are not available on Election Day, you must vote in your precinct.

Is it too late to Request an Absentee Ballot?

Click here to find out more about requesting an Absentee Ballot. There is a deadline to request an Absentee by Mail. You may also collect an Absentee in person at the Board of Elections. There is also a deadline to return the Absentee, which is the day before the Election Day.

Do you have to request an Absentee Ballot for each Election?

Yes, however, if you are requesting an Absentee Ballot for the Primary you may request that a General Election Absentee Ballot be sent to you as well. The Absentee Ballots will of course be mailed separately at the appropriate time.

How Can I change my address?

Complete the back of voter card and mail in or deliver to the Board of Elections.

Pick up a Registration Update Form from any Library, Town Hall or Major Post Office. Fill it out and mail to the Board of Elections.

Click here to display the Voter Registration Form that you can print out to complete and mail to Board of Elections.

I did not get a voter card but think I am registered. Can I vote today?

Click here to determine if you are in our voter database.

I am at the wrong precinct, can I vote here anyway?

Yes, you can vote a paper provisional ballot, but if you’re voting in the wrong precinct your ballot may only be partially counted. By showing up at the incorrect location, you may not get to vote for your correct jurisdictional representatives such as School Board, State House, and Senate representatives.

Can I wear campaign clothing or take materials to vote?

Yes, as long as you don’t leave campaign materials or campaign while in the voting location. The polling place is checked regularly for campaign materials. If they are found, they are promptly discarded.

Can I Campaign at all Precincts?

No. There are restricted voting locations in Mecklenburg County. Click here to view the Restricted Polling List.

Are there any rules on where I can Campaign at a precinct?

North Carolina General Statute 163-147 prohibits loitering, congregating, distributing campaign material, or electioneering within 50 feet of the entrance to the polling place.

Campaigning IS NOT ALLOWED at RESTRICTED POLLING LOCATIONS.

I am out of the county/country and I know there is an election today/soon, how can I vote?

If you are not in the county/country on Election Day, there is no way you can vote. You would need to plan ahead to attend Early Voting or request an Absentee Ballot. See above for information on Absentee Ballots.

Who determines the order of the candidates listed on the ballot?

The State Board Of Elections and General Statutes Determines the Name Order on the Ballot.

Where can I get a sample ballot?

At the Election Precincts, Board of Elections, Local Library, Early Voting Sites, and by clicking here.

I saw somebody at the polls today who doesn't live in this precinct anymore. How do I get that person to vote where they're supposed to?

You can talk to the precinct officials and file an Election-Day Challenge. They have the forms and the instructions. You can also contact the Board of Elections office and we’ll tell you the other procedures… Either way, thanks for keeping your eyes open!

Do I have to show my ID at the polls?

You may be required to show ID the first time you vote in Mecklenburg County if you registered by mail, and did not provide a valid Identity number and did not submit a copy of one of the following:

 A current and valid photo ID.

 A current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck, or a government document that shows your name and address as it appears on this application.

What can I do about the campaign signs in my yard?

The Board of Elections is not responsible for campaign signs. Refer to this PDF letter from the Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement Department, or they can be reached at (704) 336-4213 to report sign violations. Also you can go to the Candidate List page and find the campaign’s contact information.

How do I vote, in a Primary Election, if I am registered Unaffiliated?

When you arrive at your polling place you must choose to vote Republican, Democrat or you can decline to choose.

Republican – You may vote in the Republican races and the non-partisan races.

Democrat – You may vote in the Democratic races and the non-partisan races.

Declining to choose – You may only vote in the non-partisan races

These limitations don’t apply during a November General Election, only in Primary Elections. In General Elections, you may vote for anyone on the ballot, regardless of party.

What is an Observer?

For information on observers, go to our Observer Guide. To become an observer, contact your party office.

How are precinct boundaries determined?

The North Carolina General Statutes defines the procedures for mapping precincts and locating voting locations inside the precinct. We are required to take numerous criteria into account as we develop new precincts.

The boundaries drawn must be contiguous and follow a recognized boundary such as a township line, census blocks or physical features such as roads or streets, water or drainage features, ridgelines, rail features, major above-ground power lines or major footpaths as certified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, county manager or city clerk.

Voting locations must be inside or on a tract adjacent to the precinct. It must also fit certain criteria:

a) Americans with Disabilities Act compliant
b) Have ample parking and lighting
c) Be large enough to accommodate the voting equipment and polling place layout
d) Traffic flow must be reviewed for safety and convenience.

We utilize as many public facilities as we possibly can to reduce rental cost but some areas, because of growth, have not caught up with the public demands such as schools or libraries.

When changing a voting location all of the criteria listed above is considered. After the Board of Elections staff completes its survey of the areas for consideration, the location changes are submitted to the Board of Elections members for approval or denial. The Board of Elections has the power to “establish, define, provide, rearrange, discontinue, and combine election precincts as it may deem expedient,” (GS 163-33(4)). If the Board of Elections approves the location change or split of an existing precinct, the voters must be notified no later than 45 days prior to the next primary or election. Voters involved in any district or annexation changes are also notified by voter card of those changes.

No matter what process is used to determine the precinct boundaries, not everyone will be happy with the outcome. We’ve learned this the hard way. There is, however, very little we can do with a phone complaint. If you have any issues or concerns regarding the precinct locations, it needs to be in writing to the Mecklenburg Board of Elections, so that the matter can be fully explored and brought to some resolution when our Board is sitting in session. Our address is:

Mecklenburg Elections
PO Box 31788
Charlotte , NC 28231

How are members of the Board of Elections selected?

North Carolina General Statute 163-30 states “The State chairman of each political party shall have the right to recommend to the State Board of Elections three registered voters in each county for appointment to the board of elections for that county. If such recommendations are received by the Board 15 or more days before the last Tuesday in June 1985, and each two years thereafter, it shall be the duty of the State Board of Elections to appoint the county boards from the names thus recommended.”

The local political parties will submit three names to the State political party chairman.

Why don't you put a form on the internet so I can register to vote?

Here you go! Voter Registration Form.

Do you have a question you don’t see answered here? Then please send us a message. Include a note in the body of the text that we ought to include it in our FAQ section as well as the question you want an answer to. That’ll be a BIG help! Thanks!