How absentee voting works in North Carolina

Who can vote absentee

North Carolina allows any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot and cast a vote early by mail. The option is available to eligible voters generally, rather than only to a smaller category of voters.

The process begins when a voter requests an absentee ballot. Requesting a ballot and casting one are separate actions: The request starts the process, while the completed absentee ballot contains the voter’s choices. A voter who requests a ballot must still complete and return it through the absentee process for the vote to be considered for counting.

Eligibility remains the basic requirement. Absentee voting changes how an eligible voter casts a ballot, giving that voter a way to participate by mail before Election Day.

Following the required steps

The absentee process includes instructions designed to make sure a ballot can be counted. Voters using this option should read and follow each instruction for requesting, completing and returning the ballot.

Each stage matters. Submitting a request does not by itself cast a vote, and receiving an absentee ballot does not complete the process. The voter must make ballot choices and return the ballot as directed.

Because absentee voting is an early voting method conducted by mail, voters should allow time to complete both the request and ballot-return stages. The central steps are straightforward: confirm eligibility, request the absentee ballot, complete it according to the instructions and return it as directed so it can be considered for counting.