Accessible Voting
DRNC’s non-partisan voting project, Access the Vote NC, focuses on making voting accessible and available to people with disabilities. If you have a disability-related question that is not answered here or on our resources page, please contact us.
- Updated on: October 1, 2024
Learn about Helene recovery and its impact on voters in the affected areas.
One in four people eligible to vote has a disability. If people with disabilities voted at the same rate as people without disabilities, there would be 2.35 million more voters. We want you to have the information you need to Get Out the Vote next election and make your voice heard.
Voter Photo ID Requirements
You now need to show an NC driver’s license or other “acceptable photo ID” to vote with a regular ballot.
Visit NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) to learn about the voter photo ID requirement in North Carolina, including acceptable photo IDs and the procedure for in-person and absentee by mail voting. Check out NCSBE’s video on the new voter photo ID requirement.
Think Your 1 Vote Doesn’t Matter?
In 2020, a top state official won by less than 1 vote per city in N.C. What you do matters!
Why Change the N.C. Constitution?
The N.C. Constitution now specifies that a person “born in the U.S. or naturalized” is entitled to vote. At the end of your ballot is this question: Do you want to change the wording to say “only a citizen of the U.S.” is entitled to vote? YES or NO
3 Ways to Vote
- EARLY VOTING: Oct. 17 to Nov. 2. This is the most popular way to vote; it offers flexible days and places for voting. You can register and vote at the same time at early voting sites. Find them in your county at earlyvotenc.com.
- ELECTION DAY: Nov. 5, 6:30am – 7:30pm. Vote at your precinct’s designated polling place. Find your polling place and review your personal ballot at myncvote.com.
- VOTE BY MAIL: This is more complicated than in 2020. You will need two witnesses or a notary when you vote. Follow the directions very carefully. Act early and allow for slow mail. See ncvoter.org/absentee-ballots.
4 Tips for Voting
- Bring an acceptable photo ID like a N.C. driver’s license; it’s okay if the address is out of date. Many student IDs are good. If you don’t have an acceptable ID, you can still vote; ask the poll worker for an ID EXCEPTION FORM.
- Take a list of your candidate choices on paper or on your phone to help you remember. Don’t take photos in the poll; that’s prohibited.
- If you have a disability, you can get help to vote from anyone you choose, except your employer or union agent; or vote curbside in a car.
- For questions about how to vote, go to ncvoter.org, call the hotline 888-867-8683.
Accessible voting equipment
Learn about the various types of accessible voting equipment:
Voting Guides
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Accessible voting
View all of our resources on voting, including how to register to vote. You can also learn about your voting rights and what to do if you have a problem at the polls.
Are You on the Inactive Voter list?
If you end up on the Inactive Voter list, you will be removed from the voter registration rolls. However, there are ways to add yourself back.
Voting with a disability
Disability activists across the country tell their stories. Watch these videos and learn why your vote matters.
Challenges to voting
People with disabilities face significant barriers in voting.