NC Early Voting: Second Primary Election
NCSBE: In-person early voting for the May 14 statewide Republican second primary is April 25–May 11. Unaffiliated voters may vote.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has provided new details about the second primary election. During the early voting period, voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. This is different than Election Day, when registered voters must vote at their assigned polling place. During the early voting period, eligible individuals may also register to vote and vote at the same time.
In-person early voting for the May 14, 2024, statewide Republican second primary election began Thursday, April 25, and ends at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. New registration of voters is not permitted between the first and second primaries. This means same-day registration is not available during early voting for the second primary. However, individuals who become eligible to vote between the primary and second primary and who are otherwise eligible to vote in the second primary may register and vote on the day of the second primary — May 14. For an overview of North Carolina’s current elections, visit Upcoming Election.
The NCSBE offers these eight reminders for eligible second primary voters:
What contests are on the ballot? Second primaries are being held statewide for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor and state auditor. A second primary also is being held for the Republican nomination for U.S. House District 13, which includes all of Caswell, Person, Franklin, Lee, Harnett, and Johnston counties, as well as parts of Wake and Granville counties. The winners of the second primaries will be the Republican nominees on the November 5 general election ballot.
Who is eligible to vote? All registered Republicans in North Carolina may vote in the statewide second primaries for lieutenant governor and state auditor. Also eligible for those contests are unaffiliated voters who either didn’t vote or voted the Republican ballot in the March 5 primary. All registered Republicans who live in U.S. House District 13 are eligible to vote in that second primary, along with unaffiliated voters who live in that congressional district and either didn’t vote or voted the Republican ballot in the March 5 primary. Registration of new voters is not permitted between the first and second primaries. This means same-day registration is not available during early voting for the second primary. However, individuals who become eligible to vote between the primary and second primary may register and vote on the day of the second primary — May 14.
Early voting locations. Eligible, registered voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. For sites and hours in all 100 counties, use the Early Voting Sites search tool. Also see Early Voting Sites for the May 14, 2024 Second Primary Election (PDF).
Candidate information. Sample ballots for eligible voters are available through the Voter Search tool.
Bring Your Photo ID. Voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Most voters will show their driver’s license, but many other forms of photo ID will be accepted. Voters who do not have photo ID can make sure their vote counts by either (1) filling out a form explaining why they are unable to show ID, or (2) showing their ID at the county board of elections office by 5 p.m. May 23. Comprehensive information about the photo ID requirement is available at BringItNC.gov.
Free Photo IDs. Any registered voter who needs a photo ID can get one for free from their county board of elections office during the early voting period, which ends May 11. For details, go to Get a Free Voter Photo ID. Any North Carolina resident who is at least 17 can also get a free non-driver ID from their local DMV office.
Absentee Ballot Drop-off. Voters who vote by absentee ballot can return it by mail or hand it to an election official at an early voting site in their county. They can also drop it off in person to their county board of elections office. Absentee ballots must be received by the county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, May 14. For more information on returning absentee-by-mail ballots, see Detailed Instructions to Vote By Mail.
Election Day is Tuesday, May 14. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters should go to their assigned precinct on Election Day.
Early Voting Sites
Early voting sites and schedules for the 2024 statewide Republican second primary election are available at the Early Voting Site Search. Locations and voting hours are also available to download here: Early Voting Sites for the May 14, 2024 Election (PDF).
Unsure if You Are Registered?
Find out if you are registered to vote by entering your information into the Voter Search.
Don’t Forget Your Photo ID
North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Learn more: Voter ID.
Your Sample Ballot
To view sample ballots, registered voters must enter their information into the Voter Search and navigate to “Your Sample Ballot.” Voters can practice making selections with the accessible sample ballot: “Option 4” at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal. Sample ballots for each election are only available once finalized.
Voting Equipment
Curious which equipment will be at your voting site? Check the interactive map and table: Early Voting Equipment by County.
Voter Assistance and Curbside Voting
Any voter who qualifies for assistance may ask for help at their polling place under Assistance to voters. N.C.G.S. § 163-166.8. To find more information, visit Help for Voters with Disabilities. Curbside voting is available for eligible individuals. For more information, see Curbside Voting.
After You Vote
You can find out whether your vote counted in the “Your Absentee Ballot” section of the Voter Search database. Under North Carolina law, all early votes — by-mail or in-person — are considered absentee votes. Your ballot status also will show up in the “Voter History” section as soon as your county completes the post-election process of assigning voter history to your record. This may take up to a few weeks after Election Day.
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