Voters between the ages of 18 and 24 historically have the lowest voter turnout. With Election Day around the corner, it’s important to understand how to vote in Chapel Hill as a student.
Mark Your Calendars
- The voter registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 11 at 5 p.m.
- The early voting period will begin on Thursday, Oct. 17 and will end on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m.
- The last day to request absentee ballots is Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
- Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot. No reason or excuse is needed.
- Tuesday, Nov. 5 is Election Day. Vote at a designated voting location between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. or submit absentee ballots to your county Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m.
- If you are in line by 7:30 p.m., stay in line; you still have the right to vote.
Voter Registration
In order to register to vote, one must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be 18 years old by Election Day
- Have lived at your registration address for at least 30 days before Election Day
Students are advised to use their college address in registration to be eligible to vote on campus.
Citizens can register to vote online through the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles if they have a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Another option is to register by paper and submit the registration to the Orange County Board of Elections at least 25 days before Election Day.
People can also register on-site and vote on the same day during early voting, however this is not an option on Election Day. They will need to bring proof of residency, whether that be a driver’s license or a different form of photo identity, utility bills, bank statements or a current university identification card.
