Your easy, breezy guide to voting on Election Day in North Carolina

We recommend voting early because it’s easy and accessible. But if you want to tap into the Election Day excitement, here’s what you need to know in North Carolina. 

Here’s my advice: Vote early in North Carolina. Because you can make a plan to vote on Election Day and then things come up. 

You get a flat tire. You get sick. Your grandma falls and throws out her hip, so now you have to bring her the morning paper and her breakfast and tie her shoes. Point is: Stuff happens. 

But if you like to save your voting experience for Election Day—and I get it, it’s fun to be part of the Election Day excitement—we’re going to help you figure that out, too. 

Here’s an easy, step-by-step guide to making your voice heard on Election Day in North Carolina:

• First things first, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. 
• Ask yourself: Are you registered to vote? Find out if you are here. If you’re not, here’s what you need to do. You HAVE to register by Fri., Oct. 11, but if you don’t make it, here’s another reason to love early voting. You can register AND vote at the same time during early voting, which runs from Thurs., Oct. 17 – Sat., Nov. 2.
• Unlike early voting, you can’t just go to any polling place in your county. You HAVE TO vote at your assigned polling place. Go here to find your polling place and your sample ballot.
• Polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. If you’re in line at 7:30 pm, they WILL let you vote, so just stay in line. 
• Try not to wait until the last minute to go to the polling place on Election Day. Turnout will likely be high, and that’s when you’ll see the longest lines. So if you can manage it, try to go earlier in the day. 
• IMPORTANT: Voter ID is now in effect in North Carolina, but don’t worry, it’s still easy. Find out which photo IDs are accepted here, but here’s a list: Your driver’s license, a passport, a military photo ID, a college student ID with photo if it has been approved by the State Board of Elections (go here to see if yours has been approved), a tribal ID.
• Your ID must be unexpired, or expired for one year or less. If you’re older than 65, you can use an expired photo ID if it was unexpired on your 65th birthday. 
• If you don’t have one of these IDs, you can get a free photo ID from your county elections office or your local DMV.   
• If you show up to vote and don’t have an ID, you can still vote. You will just have to fill out an ID exception form. Find out more about ID exceptions here.
• Voter assistance, including curbside voting, is an option if you qualify. Go here to find out if you do. 
• After you vote, get a sticker and brag about it to your friends.

That it. It’s that simple. You’ve made a choice and it will be counted. Be sure to follow Cardinal & Pine for election results.