CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you're planning to vote in the upcoming election in North Carolina or South Carolina, be prepared — the deadlines to register to vote are coming up.
When trying to register to vote online in NC, if you do not have a valid North Carolina Driver License or DMV-issued ID Card, you can download a voter registration application and submit it to the State Board of Elections. Here’s what the application says about your options:
“You are required to provide your date of birth. If you have a NC driver license or non-operator’s identification number, provide this number. If you do not have a NC driver license or ID card, then provide the last four digits of your social security number. If you have neither a NC driver license, NC DMV ID card or a social security number and you are registering to vote for the first time in North Carolina, attach a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address to this application.”
In South Carolina, according to their application, “If you are registering for the first time in this county, you must attach a copy of a current valid photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address in this county. If you do not provide this identification now, you will be required to provide this information when you vote. Social Security Number (SSN) is required by the S.C. Code § 7-5-170. Applications containing only the last four digits of your SSN will be accepted. Your SSN is used for internal purposes only and eliminates multiple registrations by a single individual. Your SSN is not released to any unauthorized individual.”
It's also important to note, if there are any issues with the voter registration application or if more information is needed, your county board of elections will contact you to complete the process.
North Carolina
First, let's start with registering to vote in North Carolina. You have until this Friday, October 9, to get your application in — whether by mail, in-person or online.
If you want to register online, go to ncsbe.gov and click "register to vote." If you scroll down, you will see: "Existing NCDMV customers may submit their voter registration application online through the DMV." That link will direct you to the DMV site to fill out your voter registration application online.
If you want to register by mail, that's also on ncsbe.gov. After you click "register to vote" and scroll down, you will see "North Carolina Voter Registration Application." Download that application, fill it out carefully, and mail it to your county Board of Elections office.
If you want to register to vote in-person, call your county BOE office to get the information you need for coming in to do so.
All three of those options to register to vote will work for North Carolinians. Just remember it has to be done by this Friday. If you decide to register by mail, your application must be postmarked by October 9.
South Carolina
Now for South Carolina voter registration — as of Monday, your only option left is to register by mail, and it must be postmarked by October 5.
At SCvotes.gov, click "Online Voter Registration", and "download a voter registration form." Print out that application, fill it out correctly and completely, and return it to your county board of voter registration.
Do you have any election-related questions? Text them to WCNC Charlotte at 704-329-3600, standard data/messaging rates may apply.