NC State's Talley Student Union is one of 22 early voting sites across Wake County for the 2024 election. According to the Wake County Board of Elections Early Voting Unofficial Daily Turnout on WakeVotesEarly.com, more than 4,300 cast a ballot during Talley's first four days of early voting. Photo by Jamie Lynn Gilbert, used by permission.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Political campaign signs outside NC State’s Talley Student Union during early voting for the 2024 election. Photo by Jamie Lynn Gilbert, used by permission.
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.
In this episode, host Emilia Rivadeneira gives a news rundown, including early-voting dates and NC State Fair. Menna Elsayed also interviews Sima Haida, the Vice President of the Triangle Lebanese American Center (TLAC) to know more about its role and Lebanese immigrants in the Triangle. Haida talks about the Debeka, Arabic lessons and more about TLAC.
Angelika Regossi guides us through her career in War journalism that started after her escape from the USSR. She has covered the fall of Yugoslavia, the war in Iraq, the Russia-Georgia war, and other dangerous conflicts. Her life has been filled with so many unconventional experiences, and it is an honor to have her on The East Wing.
Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Dr. Jason Miller is renowned for his research on, and discoveries about, Langston Hughes, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Nina Simone. Of particular note is his discovery of the first ever recording of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. In this episode, Dr. Miller discusses his unconventional path to becoming a professor, his research, and his research process. I really enjoyed this conversation and getting to meet Dr. Miller, who is exceedingly kind. Dr. Miller’s NC State Website
In this chapter, I welcome you to “Islamland.” Don’t be scared but be aware that the road may be bumpy and probably filled with way too many camel riders. Here’s the question: are you the rider or the actual camel? If this is confusing you, you definitely need to join our new story as we uncover the truth and the key that connects our names to our identity.
What if I told you your name holds the key to your identity? Join me and my dear friend Abdullah Najjar on an enlightening journey through the world of names! In this episode, we dive into the laughter and lessons behind our names and what they reveal about who we are.
After running into Abdullah on campus far too often, we decided it was time to record an episode for my podcast. Abdullah, a Libyan student navigating life in America, shares his wild encounters with cultural misconceptions. We reminisce about these funny stories and reflect on how our names shape perceptions, influence relationships, and carry cultural weight.
Get ready for a captivating discussion filled with humor, heart, and the extraordinary power of names. By the end, you’ll see your own name—and those around you—in a whole new light!
