Absentee Voting

New Absentee Voting Laws: The absentee ballot return deadline is now 7:30 p.m. Election Day, under Session Law 2023-140. Previously, ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county board of elections within three days after Election Day were counted.

Voters who vote by mail now must include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot, or they may complete an ID Exception Form, which is included in their absentee materials. The voter places the photocopy of ID or ID Exception Form in a pocket on the outside of the ballot container envelope, which is then placed in an outer return envelope to protect the privacy of the voter. The copy of the photo ID does not have to be in color, but it must be readable.

Voting an Absentee by Mail Ballot


Any voter registered in North Carolina, can request an absentee ballot. This type of absentee voting allows a voter, a near relative (“near relative” means spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild. § 163-230.2) or legal guardian, to request that an absentee ballot be sent to the voter by mail. The voter may vote the ballot and return the ballot by mail, in person at the Richmond County Board of Elections office or during the Early Voting. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received at the Richmond County Board of Elections office by 7:30 pm on Election Day. Absentee ballots may not be returned at a precinct on Election Day.

If a voter, due to disability or illiteracy, is unable to complete the absentee ballot request form, the voter may receive assistance in completing the request form from an individual of the voter’s choice. No one with Power of Attorney is allowed to sign the request form unless they are the voter’s near relative or the voter’s verifiable legal guardian. A completed and signed absentee ballot request form must be received by the Richmond County Board of Elections office no later than 7:30 pm on the Tuesday before the election (§ 163-230.1(a)). A voter with an illness, physical disability, their near relative or verifiable legal guardian, may request an absentee ballot after 7:30 pm on the Tuesday prior to the election, but not later than 7:30 pm on the day before the election (§ 163-230.1(a1)).

Absentee By Mail Ballot for Military and Overseas Citizens Resources


Active duty military members, their dependents, and U.S. citizens living abroad may request an absentee ballot the same way as other registered voters. They may also apply to register and vote through special programs for military and overseas voters. Military and overseas voters may register and vote through the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) or the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

UOCAVA Election Notice

  1. UOCAVA Election Notice for November 5, 2024, General Election