For website concerns
e-mail the webmistress
Voting Frequently Asked Questions 2008

 VOTER REGISTRATION WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS (BOE)


1. Who is eligible to register to vote?
U.S. citizens (by birth or naturalization) who are 18 years of age by the next general election.

2. How do I register to vote?
Complete the N.C. Voter Registration Application/Update form and return it to the BOE.

3. Can I go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office to register to vote?
Only those persons having DMV business may register to vote at the DMV.

4. Where do I get registration forms?
Pick up mail-in registration forms at public libraries, Board of Elections Office, or town halls; or download from Orange County website (www.co.orange.nc.us ) and mail in.

5. What is the BOE mailing address for Orange County?
Orange County Board of Elections (Phone: 919-245-2350) P. O. Box 220, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

6. How do I update my registration?
Complete the NC Voter Registration Application/Update form and return to the county Board of Elections.

7. When does registration close? A.) for the Primary Election
B.) for the General Election
Registration closes: (25 days before each election)
A.) Friday, Friday, April 11, 2008.
B.) Friday, October 10, 2008.

8. Do I have to re-register to change my party affiliation? When? Where?
No, but this change must be done in writing on the Voter Registration Application/Update form by dates in #7.

9. If I move and go back to vote where I used to live and give that address, can my vote be challenged?
Yes, voters are asked to provide their current address. If you go to the correct polling place for your current address, you can ask to complete an Election Day Transfer.

10. If I change my name and use my former name when I vote, can my vote be challenged?
Yes, voters are asked to provide their current name. You can give your correct name and ask to complete an Election Day Transfer form.

11. If my citizenship rights are restored, do I have to prove it or apply in any special way?
No, just re-register within the time limits of the election (see footnote). For your personal situation, check with the BOE.

12. Can people who will be 18 by November 4th register and vote in the primaries as well as the general election?
Yes, 17 ½ year olds (18 by November 4th for 2008 election) may register and vote in both; however, they are not allowed to vote the School Board Ballot.

13. What are the rules for residency if I still have stuff at my parents’ or some other previous address?
The person/voter him/her self must determine own permanent address. That address is considered the residence.

14. Can I do any part of registering on-line?
NC does not have on-line registration. You may obtain a Registration Application form from the State BOE web site (http://www.sboe.state.nc.us), complete the form, and mail it to the correct county BOE office.

15. What if my name or address has been entered incorrectly in the registration rolls?
You should contact the county BOE in writing to have this correction made, after checking the State BOE web site (#14).

16. Is the voter registration form available in Braille or other languages?
Federal law does not require that Braille materials of any type need to be provided. However, a Braille template may be made available upon special request to the State BOE. Voter registration and ballot instructions are available in English and Spanish.

ABSENTEE AND EARLY VOTING

1. When will the pre-election polls open?
A.) Primary Election
B.) General Election
This year in person Absentee/Early Voting takes place:
A.) April 13-29, 2006 (dates and times vary by location)
B.) October 19-November 4, 2006 (1 PM)

2. Where are the pre-election voting sites?
Hillsborough Board of Elections: 110 E. King St., Hillsborough Chapel Hill Planetarium: E. Franklin St., UNC Campus Carrboro Town Hall: 300 W. Main St., Carrboro

3. If I want to vote absentee by mail, when is the last date to submit my written request for an absentee ballot?
Request must be received by 5:00 PM at the county BOE: A.) Primary: Tuesday April 25, 2006 (May 1, if sick or disabled) B.) General Election: Tuesday, October 31, 2006

4. Where do I get information about voting absentee by mail?
Visit BOE web site (www.co.orange.nc.us); then to Departments; then to Board of Elections) for information re: written request.

5. Where do I send my written request to vote absentee?
Send it to the Orange C. BOE, P. O. Box 220, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Be sure to say where you want the ballot sent and sign your request.

6. Can I find out how to vote absentee on-line?
There are no provisions for on-line voting.

7. When is the last day a completed absentee ballot must be in to the county BOE?
Absentee ballot must be received by the county BOE by: A.) Primary: Monday, May 1, 2006 B.) General Election: Monday, November 6, 2006

8. If I am in the military or live overseas, how do I vote absentee?
See the BOE website or call the county Board of Elections at 919-245-2350.

9. Can I apply for an absentee ballot for my child away at college if s/he is registered to vote here at home?
A near relative of the registered voter can request an absentee ballot for the voter. The ballot must be mailed from the Board of Elections office to the voter. The voter must vote and sign the ballot before returning it to the BOE office.

10. Can someone else bring in an absentee ballot for the voter who is out of town?
Once the voter has voted and signed the ballot, it can be returned to the BOE office by mail or in person (110 E. King St., Hillsborough) by the voter, the voter’s near relative, or a verifiable guardian.

PRIMARY VOTING (Also see Early Voting)

1. When is the NC Primary this year?
Tuesday, May 2, 2006, 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

2. If a second primary is needed, when will it be held?
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

3. If I am unaffiliated (Independent) voter, can I vote in the primary?
Yes, you must choose which party primary ballot you wish to use. Doing so will not change your affiliation.

4. If there is a second primary, what choices do I have?
Anyone voting in the primary must vote in the same party run-off ballot.

5. What do I do if I go to the wrong polling place and don’t have time to go to the right one?
Ask to vote a Provisional Ballot.

6. If I wake up too sick to go to the Primary Election, how can I vote?
There are no provisions for this.

7.(Also, see items #5-10 under GENERAL ELECTION.


8. Who is running in the Primary Election?
See OCDP Voter Guide

GENERAL ELECTION (Also see Early Voting)

1. When is the General Election this year?
Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM.

2. Must unaffiliated voters vote for the same party that they voted for in the Primary?
No, in the General Election everyone gets the same ballot. You do not vote by party in November.

3. If I wake up too sick to go on Election Day, how can I vote?
There are no provisions for this.

4. What do I do if I go to the wrong polling place and don’t have time to go to the right one?
Ask to vote a Provisional Ballot.

5. If I have to leave town (or North Carolina) for a family funeral or some other urgent reason before the election, how can I vote?
There are no provisions for this.

6. What if my name or address has been entered incorrectly in the registration roles?
If you determine this error on Election Day, precinct officials have forms that you may complete and will bring them back to the BOE office. Ask to vote a Provisional Ballot.

7. If, for any reason, I’m told I can’t vote and I believe I have registered properly, what can I do?
Call the BOE or log on to the State BOE web site (http://www.sboe.state.nc.us) to check your registration there.Ask for a Provisional Ballot.

8. How do I get assistance to vote?
If you need assistance to vote, YOU MUST ASK FOR IT. It cannot be offered (even if the need is obvious), unless the voter requests it. Physically impaired voters must request assistance. Voters with technical problems must request a provisional ballot.

9. If I go to the polling place, but cannot get out of the vehicle to go inside, can I vote?
Yes, you may vote via curbside. Ask for the Precinct Registrar to get assistance.

10. If I am guardian to a person who is mentally disabled, can I vote for him the way I know he would want to vote?
No. Although you may physically assist a voter, all voters must be able to make their own decision about ballot choices.

11. Who is running in the General Election?
See OCDP Voter Guide to be developed after the Primary.

* Footnote re: Voting Rights of Persons Charged of Convicted of a Crime

Can I still vote in N.C. if I am convicted of a crime?
  • Until a judge sentences you, you can still vote.
  • If you are convicted of a misdemeanor (any crime that carries a sentence of 365 days or less), you can still vote.
  • If you have been convicted of a felony (a crime that carries a sentence of more than 365 days), you lose your right to vote only while you are in prison, on probation, or on parole.
After I complete my felony sentence, what do I have to do to vote?
  • When you have completed your felony sentence, including parole, your right to vote is automatically restored.
  • You must register to vote again.
  • You may be asked for proof that you completed your sentence. Your probation/parole officer can give you a /certificate of release/ or the Board of Election can check http://www.doc.state.nc.us/offenders/ that will show you have completed your sentence.
top of page