Absentee Ballots
In North Carolina, you do not need an excuse to vote absentee. Absentee balloting is open to anyone who wants to vote by mail in our state. You merely need to go to the State Board of Elections website https://www.ncsbe.gov/index.html and print out an application to request a ballot be mailed to you. You can call your county Board of Elections and they will mail one to you too. Each voter needs to print out a blank application form, fill it out and send it back to the Board of Elections or return to the drop box in front of each county Board of Elections office. When the Fall election gets closer, you will receive the ballot in the mail.
Voting the Absentee By-Mail BallotThe voter is required to mark the ballot in the presence of two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age, or they may use one witness if the person is a notary public. The voter's witnesses do not need to see how they vote; instead, they are witnessing that the voter is voting of their own accord.
Completing the Absentee Container-Return EnvelopeTo submit a ballot successfully, the voter must complete all required sections on the absentee container-return envelope. The voter must ensure that they have signed the "Voter's Certification" section and that the voter's two witnesses, or a notary public, have completed all required elements in the "Witness" section on the container-return envelope.
The following persons may not be an absentee witness:
Always remember to carefully sign your ballot so it can be counted in the vote tally. Mail your ballot early so it has time to be received. Some ballots are not properly signed and the Board of Elections cannot process them without a proper signature.All ballots must be in the possession of the county board of elections by 7:30 pm on Election Day. The deadline for returning all civilian absentee by-mail ballots is the same regardless of delivery method (by mail or in-person drop-off).
A civilian ballot is late if it is received after the absentee ballot receipt deadline
Voting the Absentee By-Mail BallotThe voter is required to mark the ballot in the presence of two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age, or they may use one witness if the person is a notary public. The voter's witnesses do not need to see how they vote; instead, they are witnessing that the voter is voting of their own accord.
Completing the Absentee Container-Return EnvelopeTo submit a ballot successfully, the voter must complete all required sections on the absentee container-return envelope. The voter must ensure that they have signed the "Voter's Certification" section and that the voter's two witnesses, or a notary public, have completed all required elements in the "Witness" section on the container-return envelope.
The following persons may not be an absentee witness:
- For all voters:
- A person who is a candidate for nomination or election to any federal, state, or local elective office in the primary or election in which you are voting absentee (unless the candidate is your near relative or legal guardian.) (G.S. § 163A-1317(c))
- For voters who are patients or residents of a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or rest home and are not disabled:
- An owner, manager, director, or employee, of a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or rest home in which you are a patient or resident. (G.S. § 163A-1298(a)(4))
- A person who holds any federal, state, or local elective office. (G.S. § 163A-1298(a)(4))
- A person who holds office in a state, congressional district, county, or precinct political party or organization, or who is a campaign manager or treasurer for any candidate or political party. (G.S. § 163A-1298(a)(4)).
- For any voter who is disabled, including those who are patients or residents of a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or rest home:
- A disabled absentee voter may receive assistance from any person they choose, including a MAT team, staff of the hospital, clinic, nursing home, or rest home where they are a patient or resident, an elected official, political party office holder, or candidate.
Always remember to carefully sign your ballot so it can be counted in the vote tally. Mail your ballot early so it has time to be received. Some ballots are not properly signed and the Board of Elections cannot process them without a proper signature.All ballots must be in the possession of the county board of elections by 7:30 pm on Election Day. The deadline for returning all civilian absentee by-mail ballots is the same regardless of delivery method (by mail or in-person drop-off).
A civilian ballot is late if it is received after the absentee ballot receipt deadline
Voting in 2025
Click here for information and important dates in the upcoming elections. Due to the changing nature of N.C. politics, these may be updated frequently.
Vote 411
Vote 411 allows you to generate a sample ballot with all your nonpartisan candidate information. All candidates are invited to participate by answering questions and uploading campaign statements and videos. Click here for Vote411 information,
Candidate Forums
Click here to view recordings of the Brunswick County 2025 Candidate forums. The League did not sponsor any forums in New Hanover County due to sufficient coverage by the local news media.
Registration Drives
If you are interested in having the league attend your event for a voter registration drive, send us an email.
