How do I register to vote?
- Existing NCDMV customers can register online through the Division of Motor Vehicles.
- Downloading and printing out the Voter Registration Application from the NCSBE website (available in English or Spanish): https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Voter_Registration/NCVoterRegForm_06W.pdf
- Completed forms must be mailed to your local County Board of Elections or dropped off in person.
- Student Life and Leadership will gladly assist students needing help or postage to mail their voter registration applications. Their office is located in Carolina Union 2501.
- In-person at your county Board of Elections Office.
- Voter registration events on/around campus.
Tar Heels looking to register to vote in other states should access the national voter registration form.
Visit our Voter Registration and Resources page for more comprehensive information and useful links.
Am I eligible to register to vote?
To vote in the General Elections you must meet all federal requirements to register to vote and cast your ballot. Those requirements are:
- You must be 18 years of age by Election Day.
- A U.S. citizen.
- Live in the county where you are registering, and have resided there for at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
- Not be serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole.
UNC students that reside in the local community while attending classes may register to vote with their local address while in school as long as they do not intend to return to their hometown after graduation. Students that intend to return to their hometown after graduation should register to vote in their hometown. If a student is unsure about their plans after graduation, they may register and vote at their local address or home address, but can only be registered to vote at one residence and may only cast one ballot in the Election. Please see the North Carolina State Board of Elections for more information if you are unsure or have further questions about registering to vote: https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/who-can-register/registering-college-student
Election 2024
About 20 positions are up for election on the ballot this year, including but not limited to:
- U.S. President/Vice President
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- State Auditor
- State Treasurer
- Attorney General
- Labor Commissioner
- Superior Court Judge
- District Court Judge
- District Attorney
- State Senator
- State Representative
- N.C. Supreme Court Justice
- N.C. Court of Appeals Judge
- Clerk of Superior Court
- County Commissioner
- … AND MORE!
You can check your registration, find your polling place and download a sample ballot at the N.C. State Board of Elections website. There is no same-day registration available on Election Day.
Voter ID and UNC OneCards
Beginning this year, voters in North Carolina will be required to show an approved photo ID when voting. Physical UNC One Cards have been approved by the state for both students and employees to use when voting. (UNC’s mobile One Card is not approved.) Visit the North Carolina Board of Election’s voter ID webpage for more information about what other forms of ID will and will not be accepted.
In-Person Voting Options
Eligible voters have two options to cast their ballot in-person in North Carolina: during Early Voting or on Election Day. More information about both options are below:
Early Voting:
- Early Voting in North Carolina begins October 17th and goes through November 2nd at 3pm. Please see the Orange County Board of Elections website for a more thorough schedule of Early Voting locations: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28012/2024-Presidential-Early-Voting-?bidId=
- Early Voting provides an option for voters to cast their ballot outside of standard Election Day (Tuesday November 5th, 2024) and potentially at a time that aligns better with their schedule and availability.
- Eligible voters may register to vote or update their voter registration at Early Voting and cast their ballot the same day (leading to Early Voting oftentimes being referred to as “Same-Day Early Voting”).
- If you are registering to vote at Early Voting, be sure to bring proof of residency; a UNC OneCard works as an option for students who live on campus and in Granville Towers. More information on acceptable forms of proof of residency can be found here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-early-person
- Bring an accepted Photo ID to cast your ballot! A comprehensive list of accepted Photo IDs can be found online: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id#acceptable
- The Chapel of the Cross (304 E. Franklin Street) is the closest Early Voting site to UNC Chapel Hill, however eligible voters may vote early at any Early Voting location in the county they are registered in.
Election Day:
- Election Day 2024 is Tuesday November 5th!
- To cast your ballot on Election Day, you must be registered to vote and vote at your assigned polling location.
- Most UNC students that are registered to vote with a local address in/around UNC’s campus are assigned to vote on Election Day at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center (150 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC).
- If you are registered to vote in your hometown/home state and did not request an absentee ballot, you will have to go to that hometown to vote in person on Election Day.
- You must bring an acceptable photo ID to cast your ballot on Election Day. If a voter cannot show photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form.
Get Involved
Carolina is incredibly fortunate to have a number of student clubs and organizations actively working to engage our campus and community. If you would like to help promote democracy on campus we recommend getting involved via Heel Life. Getting involved can be fun, easy, and a powerful way to engage and make an impact in your community while a student at Carolina. For more information, please contact Student Life and Leadership at lead@unc.edu.
For students: Tar Heels Vote! Initiative
The Tar Heels Vote! Initiative connects student leaders across campus working on voter registration and engagement. The group aims to create a coalition of student organizations for coordination in civic engagement efforts, provide a set of materials and best practices for voter engagement messaging, gather student input and support for institutional civic engagement efforts, and lay the groundwork for a culture of civic engagement beyond elections.
If you or your organization are interested in joining THV, please contact Natasha Young.
For faculty and staff: Promote Democracy Coalition
A coalition of faculty and staff working on civic and election engagement efforts from a variety of angles meets regularly throughout the year to coordinate their efforts. The group includes representatives from the Carolina Center for Public Service, Student Life and Leadership, Off-Campus Student Life and Community Involvement, Carolina Public Humanities, Carolina Athletics, the Office of the Chancellor, the Department of Political Science, the School of Government, Carolina Housing, the Campus Y, University Libraries and many more areas across campus.
If you are interested in learning more or joining this coalition, contact Natasha Young.
Chapel Hill Peoples Academy
The Chapel Hill Peoples Academy is an opportunity to learn, connect and lead. Participants learn about Chapel Hill’s town services and opportunities, connect with local leaders and community members, and lead by engaging in dialogue about community issues. All people that live, work, play, pray or study in Chapel Hill are invited to register. Information can be found on the Peoples Academy website.
In 2022 and 2023, UNC partnered with the Town of Chapel Hill to also offer the UNC Peoples Academy in order to specifically highlight opportunities for service, internships and engagement with local governmental organizations. Learn more about the 2022 and 2023 UNC Peoples Academy here and here.