Voting FAQ’s

Voting in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get a sample ballot?
A: You can find your sample ballot at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/.

Q: What I.D. do I need to bring? 
A: If you are newly registered you may be asked to prove residency by showing a drivers license, utility bill, or other document.

Q: What are my voting districts?
A: It all depends on where you live. You can find that information on My Districts.

Q: How do Absentee Ballots work?
A: Any registered voter may request and receive a mail-in absentee ballot. No special circumstances or reason is needed to receive and vote a mail-in absentee ballot. You must submit an Absentee Ballot Request form first, then the Board of Elections will mail your Absentee Ballot to you.

Q: How do primary elections work in North Carolina?
A: North Carolina has open primaries for the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian Parties and closed primaries for the Constitution and Green Parties.  What does that mean?  Watch this short video from the North Carolina Board of Elections to find out.

Q: I’m having a problem at the polls. What do I do?
A: If you are having a specific problem on Election Day, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (to speak with an election advocate, English only) or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (English and Spanish), 1-888-API-VOTE (Bilingual assistance in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi & Bengali) or 1-844-418-1682 (Arabic).

Q: What if I’m still standing in line when the polls close?
A: STAY AND VOTE. ALL states allow voters to cast their ballot if they are in line at the time their polling place closes.

Q: I have a disability.  Can I request assistance at the polls?
A: All states offer special provisions for those who are disabled or cannot access their polling place on Election Day. If you are unable to attend the polls, but need assistance, you should notify your poll workers about your need to cast a vote successfully.

You can determine for yourself who you would like to assist you at the polls – e.g. a family member or a poll worker, etc.

If you are assisting someone to the polls who is disabled, you should confirm the rules with your local poll workers. Different states have different disability provisions, so it is important to confirm these details. No voter should be turned away if he/she is disabled, or needs assistance.

Q: What should I do if my name is not on the voter registration list?
A: You should either be directed to the correct polling place or given a provisional ballot.

Q: Will my provisional ballot count?
A: After Election Day, local elections officials will confirm the eligibility of each voter and count their provisional ballot if it is determined that they are eligible. Poll workers should provide every provisional voter with a way to learn whether or not their ballot was counted.

Q: How do I become a Poll Worker?
A: You can be vital part of the voting process by working as a Poll Worker on a team of workers at voting locations during Early Voting or on Election Day. Poll Workers are especially needed this year. You get paid during training sessions and while working. Click here for Buncombe County’s Poll Worker information and application form.

Q: How can I contact my elected officials?
A: Buncombe County residents can vote for candidates to fill many elected positions that have an impact on their lives! Contacting those officials is easy if you use this list made available by the Buncombe County Board of Elections.

Q: How can I find out more about voting and elections?
A: We have found the Buncombe County Board of Elections website to be an invaluable source for information about election and voting issues with local information. Also, the Brennan Center for Justice is a widely respected, non-partisan resource that provides a tremendous amount of in-depth information on a wide variety of topics. And you can always contact your local LWV with your questions at 828-333-0893 or [email protected].