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Voting Guide

Voting at the polls can be daunting for a transgender person who has recently transitioned or is in the process of transitioning. These guidelines outline what to expect at the polls and offer suggestions for dealing with the possible situations that might occur.

Before Election Day

Check your registration and register
If you don’t remember the last time you voted, you’ve legally changed your name, or if you’ve moved since the last election, it’s best to check and make sure your information is up to date. You can check your registration online. If you’ve never registered before, then you can skip the first step and register now.
Check Voter ID requirements

North Carolina has strict voter ID laws due to a recent judgment reversal by the NC Supreme Court. Driver’s licenses are often the default, but various types of ID are accepted. An exhaustive list is found online.

NOTE: Election workers have to assess if the name is the same or “similar enough” between the ID and registration (e.g., your ID has Throckmorton but you registered as just Throck). They also have to assess if the photo on the ID “reasonably resembles” the voter. If there are issues, a panel of three other poll workers will review the case.

Your gender marker DOES NOT have to match your gender presentation. If you want to ensure your ID has a current photo, you can also get a free voter ID card from your county’s registrar’s office. Ultimately, those without an ID can still vote by filling out an ID Exception form.

Make a voter plan

Whether it be a busy schedule or transportation, voting can take planning. Making a voter plan is the easiest way to make sure you’ve got everything you need to vote! Find our voter plan checklist below:

  1. Check your registration.
  2. How much time do you have to dedicate to voting?
  3. Decide how you’re going to vote (absentee, early, or on Election Day).
  4. Determine if you’ve got the appropriate ID.
    • If you don’t, what is your plan to get one?
    • Will you opt for an ID Exception form instead?
  5. What day are you voting? Or sending your absentee ballot?
  6. How will you get to your voting location (if applicable)?
  7. Who are you bringing with you?
  8. If voting absentee or with a provisional ballot, do you know how to track it?
Recruit your friends

Everything is better with friends! Now that you’ve got the tea on how to vote in NC, tell your friends! Y’all can work together to make transportation easy for everyone and make sure everyone gets the chance to have their vote counted!

Voting

Early voting
Just like regular voting, but it’s also a one stop shop. If you, or your bestie who came with, forgot to register, you still can at these early voting locations! Unlike regular voting, you do not have an assigned location—you can stop at any polling location, as long as it’s in the county you are registered in. You can find all the early voting locations online.
Absentee Voting / Vote by Mail

Everyone in NC can request to vote absentee, aka vote by mail. You can request your absentee ballot online or via mail. You must return your ballot by a specific deadline (see above) and will need to either provide a copy of your ID or fill out the ID Exception form.

You must have either two witnesses or a notary public verify your vote with signatures. You can deliver the ballot in person at a polling location during early voting and can return it to your county board of elections any time during business hours up until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Election Day

Election Day is the last day you can vote! You must already be registered. No same-day registration is allowed. You must be at your assigned polling place.

Most people vote on this day, so it can take longer. As long as you are in line by the time polls close, you are legally allowed to vote! If you forget your ID, ask for a provisional ballot and instructions on how to track it after.

Accessible Voting

Federal and state laws require early voting locations and Election Day polling sites to be accessible. If you are unable to go into the polling place, curbside voting is available.

Each voting location is legally required to have at least one working machine with accessibility features. You are also allowed to bring an assistant with you; different rules apply depending on if they’re family or not.

The absentee voter portal also has accessibility features for those who are blind or visually impaired. Please read full details on NC’s voter accessibility information on the NC State Board of Elections website.