Voter Registration

Democracy North Carolina

HOW TO REGISTER SOMEONE TO VOTE

Who Can Register to Vote?

You must be:

• A US citizen

• At least 18 by General Election

• Not currently serving a felony sentence

Who Can Register Others?

Anyone!

• No special certification required

• You don’t have to be eligible to vote to register others

Your Obligation as Registrar

• You cannot coerce someone to register for a particular party

• You can complete the form for the voter, but they must sign it

• You must turn in completed forms to county Board of Elections before the deadline

Registration Deadlines

• Mail or turn in completed forms to the county Board of Elections within 7 days

• Voter registration deadline: 25 days before the election.– No more Same Day Registration – Moves within a county: may update

registration address at voting location

The Form

Filling Out the Form: Required!

• Section 1: Yes or No (if no, STOP)

• Section 2: Full legal name (match your ID or SSN)

• Section 3 (new form): Date of birth

• Section 4: Street address and city

• Signature (at bottom of page)

Filling Out the Form: Key Sections

• ID numbers help verify voter identity – NC driver’s license or ID, or last four SSN

– No ID # listed: voter must show identifying document upon first voting

– New form: Focus on Section 3. Check the box if they have no ID #

Filling Out the Form: Key Sections

• Phone Number– Board of Elections can contact the voter

with problems or questions with the form

• Race, Gender & Ethnicity – Helps Board of Elections monitor the

political process for bias

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Party Should I Register For?

“I’m not allowed to recommend a party because I am doing non-partisan vote

registration. You should choose a party that most closely aligns with your values,

or you can choose to be unaffiliated.”

What’s the Difference Between Parties?

• Resist urge to answer this question. Say, “You can call or look up the parties online to find out more about their positions.”

• You can also use an elected official as an illustration, “Ronald Reagan was a Republican; Barack Obama is a Democrat.”

I’ll be 18 Soon. Can I Register?

• If you will be 18 by the General Election in the fall, then yes.

• You can vote in the primary if you’re 17 but will be 18 on the day of the General Election.

• Call your county Board of Elections if you have any other questions.

What if I Have a Felony Conviction?

• Your sentence must be complete (including any probation or parole) before re-registering.

• Re-register like a new voter, using the same form as everyone else.

• No special documents required!

What if I Have a Misdemeanor Conviction?

Your right to vote is not affected by a misdemeanor conviction, even if you

have served or are currently serving a jail sentence.

What if I Have Pending Felony Charges?

As long as you have not been convicted, your right to vote is intact.

What If I Don’t Have a Permanent Address?

• Residential address: Where you sleep or spend most of your time – Shelter or a friend’s house– Sleep outside? Draw map, describe location

• Mailing address: Where you get mail – PO Box, local shelter, parent’s home

• Did you move? Update your registration

I Think I’m Already Registered.

• Have a smart phone or tablet? – You can look up a registration @

demnc.co/myreg.”

• Can’t access internet? – Call State Bd. of Elections (866) 522-4723– Or, suggest they re-register. New

registration will update the old one. 

What Happens After I Register?

• Should receive verification card from County Board of Elections.

• May get a letter asking for more identifying info if the Board of Elections can’t verify identity based on info on the voter registration form.– This is why Section 3 of the form is so

important

What If the Voter is Transgender?

Make sure the name on the ID or Social Security card matches the name on the

voter registration. Otherwise, it may hold up the verification process

Call the State Board of Elections

 (866) 522-4723

Other Questions?

TIPS FOR REGISTERING VOTERS

Let Your Light Shine

• Speak out! If people are already registered or don’t want to register, they’ll let you know.– Emphasize “Are you registered at your

current address?”

• Enthusiasm works! Stay upbeat and friendly. Smile! Talk to folks passing by. Your warmth may convince them to stop and register.

Share Information

• Incorporate voter education into your conversations. Voting is most exciting in context.

• Hand out Know Your Rights wallet cards, information on voting with a felony conviction, the recent voting law changes, or other nonpartisan materials.

Make it Easy

• Provide a hard surface for filling out the form (table and chair for site-based, or clipboard if you’re on foot)

• Offer to fill out the form for them, if they have their hands full (but remember the voter must sign the form!)

Check it! Collect it!

• Double-check the form before the voter leaves! Make sure required & most key sections are complete.

• Keep the form and make sure it gets turned in on time.

• If someone wants to take a form home, be sure they know key sections to complete and where to mail it when done.

What To Expect

• On average, site-based drives yield 5 to 7 registrations an hour per volunteer.

• Door-to-door drives may yield fewer per hour per volunteer team.

• Voter registration can be a slow process. Don’t get discouraged!

ORGANIZING A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE

Site Based Drives

Site-based registration means setting up a table at a community event, a store, a church, or other high traffic location.

– These drives often result in higher numbers for less effort

Door-to-door registration means going through a neighborhood.

– These drives allow you to target your efforts to specific area or neighborhood

Door Knocking

Making a Plan

• Choose days and times people are most likely at the site or in the neighborhood.

• Get permission from location sites, if needed.

• Work with other groups, if possible. Don’t’ double up unless necessary!

What to Bring• Voter Reg forms & pens (blue or black ink)

• Signs (“Register to Vote Here”)

• Clipboards (especially if registering on-foot)

• Nonpartisan voter education materials

• Envelope or box for completed forms

• Tables and chairs for volunteers and voters

Also Consider Bringing

• Small giveaways (candy, stickers, or buttons)

• Smart phone or laptop to check voters’ status online

Coordinating Volunteers

• Recruit more folks than needed to account for last-minute cancellations or no shows

• Plan to work in teams of two, especially for door knocking

• Sign volunteers up for shifts of 3-4 hours

Coordinating Volunteers

• Call volunteers the night before. Confirm they are coming and know where to be and when!

• Make sure the drive leader is available to answer questions that come up!

For More Information

• VisitNCVoter.org (Dem NC)

NCSBE.gov (State Board of Elections)

• Call888-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) (Dem NC)

866-522-4723 (State Board of Elections)