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Here's what you need to know about absentee voting changes ahead of the primaries

March 5 is primary election day in North Carolina

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — March 5 is the North Carolina presidential primary elections, and voters will need to familiarize themselves with some election law changes, many of which concern absentee ballots.

On Friday,  the County Board of Elections is sending out the first absentee ballots for the presidential primary. 

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Starting this year, there will be no grace period for absentee ballots. The county must receive them by 7:30 p.m. on election night.

RELATED: Everything you need to know to vote in the Carolinas

"If you vote absentee, you must have that in my office by 7:30 on election night," Mecklenburg County Elections Director Michael Dickerson said. "It has to be either received through the mail or brought in the office. After that, I won't be able to take it."

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Voters must also include a copy of their ID with their absentee ballot and have two witnesses sign the ballot.

These changes may be confusing, but absentee voters will have up to 9 days after election day to correct any mistakes on their ballots.

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