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Most Common Questions
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Where can I get Voter Registration Forms?
Pick up a form at any Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, any of the town halls, at the Board of Elections office (741 Kenilworth Ave., Ste 202) or here. Complete and sign the form and mail it to us. We'll send a new voter card to you!
How do I change my address?
We must have one of two documents signed by the voter (an e-mail won't do.) Either send us your voter card with the change of address indicated on the back or complete a voter registration application form, showing your new address, and send it to us. Make sure you sign the card/form! We'll do the data entry and send a new voter card to you.
How do I change my party affiliation?
We must have one of two documents signed by the voter (an e-mail won't do.) Either send us your voter card with the change marked on the back or complete a voter registration application form, showing the new party affiliation, and send it to us. Make sure you sign the card/form! We'll do the data entry and send a new voter card to you.
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Election Time Questions
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I saw somebody at the polls today who doesn't live in this precinct anymore. How do I get that person to vote where they're supposed to?
You can talk to the precinct officials and file an Election-Day Challenge. They have the forms and the instructions. You can also contact the Board of Elections office and we'll tell you the other procedures… Either way, thanks for keeping your eyes open!
Do I have to show my ID at the polls?
When voting, the voter only has to state his name and address. The only time any type of ID would be requested would be if a voter is challenged or desires to vote a provisional ballot, in which case the precinct official would need to ask for the driver's license number. We no longer can require a voter to show ID when registering or when they come to vote.
What can I do about the campaign signs in my yard?
The Board of Elections is not responsible for campaign signs. Call the Building Standards Department at (704) 336-4213 to report the signs. Also you can go to the Candidate List page and find the campaign's contact information.
I am going to be unavailable on Election Day. But I really want to vote. How do I vote Absentee?
To find out more about voting Absentee by-mail.
OR, you may vote absentee in-person during a period prior to each election. For more information about early voting.
How do I vote, in a Primary Election, if I am registered Unaffiliated?
When you arrive at your polling place you must choose to vote Republican, Democrat or you can decline to choose.
Republican – You may vote in the Republican races and the non-partisan races.
Democrat – You may vote in the Democratic races and the non-partisan races.
Declining to choose – You may only vote in the non-partisan races
These limitations don't apply during a November General Election, only in Primary Elections. In General Elections, you may vote for anyone on the ballot, regardless of party.
What is an Observer?
For information on observers, go to our Observer Guide. To become an observer, contact your party office.
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Other Questions
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How are precinct boundaries determined?
The North Carolina General Statutes defines the procedures for mapping precincts and locating voting locations inside the precinct. We are required to take numerous criteria into account as we develop new precincts.
The boundaries drawn must be contiguous and follow a recognized boundary such as a township line, census blocks or physical features such as roads or streets, water or drainage features, ridgelines, rail features, major above-ground power lines or major footpaths as certified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, county manager or city clerk.
Voting locations must be inside or on a tract adjacent to the precinct. It must also fit certain criteria:
a) Americans with Disabilities Act compliant
b) Have ample parking and lighting
c) Be large enough to accommodate the voting equipment and polling place layout
d) Traffic flow must be reviewed for safety and convenience.
We utilize as many public facilities as we possibly can to reduce rental cost but some areas, because of growth, have not caught up with the public demands such as schools or libraries.
When changing a voting location all of the criteria listed above is considered. After the Board of Elections staff completes its survey of the areas for consideration, the location changes are submitted to the Board of Elections members for approval or denial. The Board of Elections has the power to "establish, define, provide, rearrange, discontinue, and combine election precincts as it may deem expedient," (GS 163-33(4)). If the Board of Elections approves the location change or split of an existing precinct, the voters must be notified no later than 45 days prior to the next primary or election. Voters involved in any district or annexation changes are also notified by voter card of those changes.
No matter what process is used to determine the precinct boundaries, not everyone will be happy with the outcome. We've learned this the hard way. There is, however, very little we can do with a phone complaint. If you have any issues or concerns regarding the precinct locations, it needs to be in writing to the Mecklenburg Board of Elections, so that the matter can be fully explored and brought to some resolution when our Board is sitting in session. Our address is:
Mecklenburg Elections
PO Box 31788
Charlotte , NC 28231
How are members of the Board of Elections selected?
North Carolina General Statute 163-30 states "The State chairman of each political party shall have the right to recommend to the State Board of Elections three registered voters in each county for appointment to the board of elections for that county. If such recommendations are received by the Board 15 or more days before the last Tuesday in June 1985, and each two years thereafter, it shall be the duty of the State Board of Elections to appoint the county boards from the names thus recommended."
The local political parties will submit three names to the State political party chairman.
I received 2 voter cards in the mail. Why? What should I do?
This probably indicates an error in our records, of which we need to become aware. Please send us both cards back, with a quick note explaining that both cards are for the same person, to P.O. Box 31788, Charlotte, NC 28231. We will research the situation, fix it and mail you a new card.
The mailman delivered a voter card to my house, but that person doesn't live here. What should I do?
Please return the voter card to us along with whatever information you have. If the individual has moved, we'll try to contact them at the new address. Failing that, or if the individual is deceased, we'll try to remove them from the voter registration files. Either way, you'll be doing us a big service by letting us know.
Why don't you put a form on the internet so I can register to vote?
Here you go! Voter Registration Form.
Do you have a question you don't see answered here? Then please send us a message. Include a note in the body of the text that we ought to include it in our FAQ section as well as the question you want an answer to. That'll be a BIG help! Thanks!
