Absentee ballots for the 2024 General Election will be available soon.
Counties will begin sending ballots to eligible military and overseas voters on Friday, Sept. 20. The N.C. State Board of Elections has set Sept. 24 for counties to begin mailing absentee ballots to civilians. The original send date was delayed after rulings by the N.C. Court of Appeals and N.C. Supreme Court ordered counties to reprint ballots. Absentee ballots can be requested online now through Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
“Anyone interested in voting absentee-by-mail should submit their request as early as possible to ensure there is enough time to receive the absentee ballot materials, vote their ballot, and return it by the deadline,” said Wake County Board of Elections Director Olivia McCall. “Read the instructions carefully when you receive your ballot and reach out if you have any questions.”
Absentee voters should expect to receive a packet that includes an instruction sheet, a ballot, a flyer with acceptable ID information, an ID exception form, a ballot container envelope and a return envelope. The voter should complete their ballot in the presence of two witnesses or a notary public. The ballot must be sealed in the ballot container envelope and the voter, along with the two witnesses or notary, must sign the envelope.
Photo ID is required for voting by mail. The ballot container envelope has a clear sleeve for the voter to include a photocopy of an acceptable form of photo identification. If the voter is unable to provide a copy of their photo ID, an ID exception form is provided and may be submitted to meet this requirement.
The return envelope is pre-addressed to the appropriate county office. The voter may apply $1.77 in postage and mail the ballot back. Alternatively, the ballot can be delivered to the appropriate county board office or early voting site of that county. Only the voter, a near relative or legal guardian, or someone assisting the voter due to disability may return the ballot in person.
Wake County voters who requested an absentee ballot must ensure their ballot is delivered to the Board of Elections Operations Center by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. The deadline to accept absentee ballots also applies to those delivered by mail. A postmark on or before Election Day does not establish timely receipt of a ballot delivered after the deadline.
Visit ReadyToVote.com for more information about upcoming elections and voting.
About Wake County Board of Elections
The Wake County Board of Elections is responsible for conducting all elections held in the county. The board establishes election precincts and voting sites; appoints and trains precinct officials; prepares and distributes ballots and voting equipment; certifies ballots cast in elections and investigates any voting irregularities.
The Wake County Board of Elections also maintains voter registration and voting records for more than 840,000 voters. To learn more about Wake County Board of Elections, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Contact us at voter@wake.gov or 919-404-4040.
