An absentee ballot is a way for registered voters to cast their ballot, other than the traditional method of appearing in person and casting a ballot on the day of election. There are two different types of absentee ballots: absentee by mail and absentee One-Stop.

Absentee by Mail

Any registered North Carolina voter can request an absentee ballot from his/her respective county board of elections prior to the last Tuesday before the election. You do not need a medical reason nor do you need to be  out of town. A handwritten request from the voter or near relative must include the following:

-Voter’s name

-Voter’s current residence address

-Voter’s date of birth

Address where ballot should be mailed (if different from the residence address)

-A daytime phone number (in case there are questions or additional information is needed)

-Voter’s signature, or signature of near relative (which is defined as a spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent or stepchild.)

All requests for absentee ballots must be made in writing. You cannot make requests by phone or e-mail. Mail or hand-deliver a written request to the Wake County Board of Elections.

Be sure to affix proper postage when you return your absentee balloting materials to your county board of elections. Please check with your postmaster to determine the proper postage amount. Some counties use ballot return envelopes that do not qualify for standard letter rates (11 ½” X 6 1/8″ maximum). The postage on these envelopes costs at least $0.83. Again, check with the post office before mailing your absentee ballot.

WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES FOR REQUESTING

AND RETURNING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

Oct. 28 – 5 p.m. Absentee ballot requests must be received by BOE office.

Nov. 3 – 5 p.m. Voted absentee ballots must be received by BOE office.

Absentee One-Stop

Any registered North Carolina voter may choose to vote in person using One-Stop Absentee Voting which begins the third Thursday before the election and ends the Saturday prior to the election. North Carolina voters are able to vote by Absentee One-Stop at all county boards of elections offices during regular office hours.

There are sites in addition to the Wake County Board of Elections office where you can vote absentee one-stop.

Lake Lynn Community Center

7921 Ray Rd., Raleigh

Laurel Hills Community Center

3808 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh

Wake Tech Community College Main Campus

9101 Fayetteville Rd., Raleigh

The above sites have the following hours:

Oct. 23-Nov. 1

Mon. – Fri. (10:00am – 7:00pm)

Oct. 25 (10:00am – 7:00pm)

Oct 26 (1:00pm – 5:00pm)

Nov. 1 (10:00am – 1:00pm)

Cary Towne Center Mall

1105 Walnut St., Cary

Chavis Community Center

505 Martin Luther King Blvd., Raleigh

Pullen Arts Center

105 Pullen Rd., Raleigh

Triangle Town Center Mall

5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh

The above site have the following hours:

Oct. 16 – Nov. 1

Oct. 16 – 18 (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Oct. 19 & 26 (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

Oct. 23-25 (10 a.m. – 7 a.m.)

Oct. 27-31 (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Nov. 1 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)