Written by Emilia Rivadeneira, WKNC Public Affairs Director
Whether you’re voting for the first time or have participated in elections before, here are essential tips and resources to keep in mind as Election Day approaches.
1. Understand How to Vote
Familiarize yourself with the voting options available, including in-person, mail-in ballot, and early voting.
Early Voting and General Election
The in-person early voting period for the 2024 general election started on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 and ends at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
For registered voters in the Triangle area, here’s a list of early voting locations by county:
Chatham County
- CCCC Health Science Building
- Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center
- Goldston Town Hall
- Governors Village
- New Hope Baptist Church
- National Guard Armory
Durham County
- North Regional Library
- Durham County Board of Elections
- East Regional Library
- NCCU – Turner Law Building
- Durham County Main Library
- Zakat Foundation
- South Regional Library
- Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
- Southern High School
- Cole Mill Church of Christ
- Durham Tech – William J. Ingram Center
- Duke University – Karsh Alumni Center
Franklin County
- Franklin Plaza
- Bunn Sheriff Substation
- Franklinton Lions Club
- National Guard Armory
Harnett County
- Harnett Co. Commons Area
- Western Harnett High School Gym
- Erwin Parks and Recreation, Gym
- Angier Elementary School
Johnston County
- Archer Lodge Community Center
- Benson American Legion
- First Baptist Church Ministry Center
- Oakland Presbyterian Church
- Princeton Community Building
- Providence Presbyterian Church
- Selma Civic Center
- The Church at Clayton Crossings
- Watkins Chapel Baptist Church
Orange County
- Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons
- Carrboro Town Hall Complex
- Chapel of the Cross
- Seymour Senior Center
- Chapel Hill Library
- Efland-Cheeks Community Center
Wake County
- Abbott’s Creek Community Center
- Avery Street Recreation Center
- Barwell Road Community Center
- Cary Senior Center
- Eastern Regional Center
- Green Road Community Center
- Herbert C. Young Community Center
- Hilltop Needmore Town Park and Preserve
- John Chavis Memorial Park Community Center
- John M. Brown Community Center
- Knightdale Recreation Center
- Lake Lynn Community Center
- Laurel Hills Community Center
- NC State University Talley Student Union
- Northern Regional Center
- Optimist Park Community Center
- Southeast Raleigh YMCA
- W.E. Hunt Recreation Center
- Wake County Board of Elections Office
- Wake Technical Community College Northern Campus BLDG – E
- Wake Technical Community College Southern Campus BLDG – T
- Wendell Community Center
The General Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Some early-voting locations might not serve as election day voting locations, such as Talley Student Union in Wake County. To find your designated polling location for election day, visit the online tool from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Mail-in ballots
Oct. 29 is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot in North Carolina. Registered voters can request an absentee ballot through the NCSBE website or by submitting a paper form.
2. Verify Your Registration
Check that you’re registered to vote using the online tool from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
3. Research
The ballot this election includes more than just the presidential race – state and local elections are also on the agenda. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of each position is crucial.
To better understand the various positions on the ballot, Technician has put together an informative guide covering roles such as the NC lieutenant governor, NC auditor and more. For a detailed overview, check out the piece on the Technician’s website. Registered voters can find their sample ballot through their Voter Search profile.
When it comes to candidates, non-partisan guides can serve as a valuable resource to assist you in making informed choices during these elections.
NC Voter and NC Voter Guide are two non-partisan website guides that provide candidate information, background and statements.
Several news outlets in North Carolina are offering election coverage, including candidate profiles and questionnaires.
WUNC published candidate profiles as part of their North Carolina Elections 2024 coverage. These profiles include insights on governors, superintendents, secretary of state candidates and more.
The News and Observer also published a Voter’s Guide featuring responses from 109 candidates running in statewide and congressional races, as well as numerous candidates from the Triangle area for legislative and city positions.
The Assembly also provides an in-depth guide, which includes key dates, sample ballots according to area of registration and candidate information.
4. Bring Required Identification
A photo ID is required to vote in North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, these are the acceptable Photo IDs for voting:
- North Carolina driver’s license
- State ID from the NCDMV
- Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)
- U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
- North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections (see Get a Free Voter Photo ID)
- College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections. For NC State University students, this includes the Wolfpack OneCard.
- State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections.
5. Stay Updated
Stay updated on local election news by following outlets such as WUNC, The News and Observer, INDY Week and The Assembly, all of which are covering this election season. Additionally, “Eye on the Triangle” will continue to provide coverage leading up to Election Day.
Don’t miss a special live one-hour program with host Emilia Rivadeneira from midnight to 1 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2024, which will also be streamed nationally on iHeartRadio.