Voter Education Toolkit
Voting is YOUR VOICE in shifting public policy and changes you want to see in your community. This toolkit provides a multitude of resources to get you started on your political action journey so you are informed and ready to vote in the next election cycle. The resources here are meant to be a non-partisan, general overview of what it means to vote, how to register to vote, how to access accessible voting, and candidate guides to understand who is running and what they stand for.
Nothing About Us Without Our Vote
Everything you need to vote in North Carolina, in plain language. Learn how voting works, get registered, and make your own plan to vote.
Important Dates for the Fall 2026 Election
- Friday, Oct. 9: Last day to register by mail, email, fax, or online
- Thursday, Oct. 15: Early voting starts. You can register and vote on the same day.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: Last day to ask for a mail-in ballot (by 5 p.m.)
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Early voting ends at 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mail-in ballots must reach your county board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Your Voting Toolkit
Go step by step, or jump to the part you need.
1. Learn Why Voting Matters
A picture guide to government and voting. Who makes the laws, what government does for you, and your right to get help when you vote.
2. Register to Vote
- Check if you are already registered
- The NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) site has a Voter Lookup where you can find your registration status, where your polling place is, and sample ballots. Click here to visit the Voter Lookup site.
- Am I eligible? Let’s check:
- Are you a U.S. citizen?
- Have you lived in the county in which you are registering to vote for at least one month?
- Are you over 18 years of age?
- If you answered “yes” to all of the above questions, AND you are NOT serving a felony sentence inclusing probation or parole, then you ARE eligible to vote!
- What you need to vote
- Day of: ID (voter ID, driver’s license, NC ID, military ID, passport, etc).
- Five ways to sign up!
- Online or in-person at the DMV: click here to go to the DMV website.
- By mail: click here to learn more
- At the polling site during early voting: you can register in-person ONLY IF you vote during the early voting period.
3. Choose How You Will Vote
Vote early, on Election Day, or by mail. Learn about photo ID, practice ballots, accessible voting machines, curbside voting, and getting help.
4. Make Your Voting Plan
Fill in your own plan: when and where you will vote, how you will get there, who will help you, and what to bring. It can read each part out loud, and you can download your answers.
5. Learn about Accessible Voting
The most important thing to know is that every person has the right to vote, no matter their ability. Each county has different accessible voting technology, but if they do not have what you need, there are ways to ensure you get the support you need to vote. Visit the NC site “Help for Voters with Disabilities” to read more in-depth about what is available, or download our “accessible voting guide” (below)!
See what your county offers for accessible technology:
6. Practice with Games
Three games to test what you learned: a memory match, sorting federal and state jobs, and putting the voting steps in order.
Document coming soon!