Time to register, get informed and VOTE!

High school voter registration
Did you know that you can register to vote - and vote in the primary election - if you will be 18 by the November general election?

There are 5 ways to register to vote in North Carolina

1. In person, at the Board of Elections office (Mecklenburg Board of Elections or if you live outside of Mecklenburg check here). The county staff can help you with the registration form and answer your questions.
2. In person, at one-stop absentee voting sites before the election. You can register (and also vote at the same time if you wish).
3. In person, at many government offices. You can get a registration form at Driver's License offices and other government agencies. Many libraries, colleges and universities have forms too.
4. In person during a voter registration drive. If you would like to set up a voter registration drive at your school, youth program or community organization, contact Kids Voting.
5. By mail. You can fill out and mail in your registration form. You can get the form from the Mecklenburg Board of Elections or the State Board of Elections.

Be sure to check important information - such as deadlines, information needed to register, etc. - before filling out your form.

Deadlines

April 11, 2008 at 5:00 PM to register to vote in the May 6 primary

October 10, 2008 at 5:00 PM to register to vote in the November 4 general election

Rules about registering

You will need to provide your driver's license number, or the last four digits on your social security form. If you don't have either of these, you may need to provide a copy of identification that shows your name and address. Check with the Board of Elections to see what they will accept as ID.

Qualifications

To register to vote in NC, a person must sign a voter declaration attesting that:

• I am a US citizen
• I will have been a resident of NC and this county for 30 days before the election
• I will be at least 18 years old by the next general election
• I am not registered nor will I vote in any other county or state
• If I have been convicted of a felony, my rights of citizenship have been restored

That's it! You don't need good grades to be be eligible to vote. You just need to know how to find the facts about the candidates and issues and be informed - taking time to prepare to vote and voting regularly are important things you can do to. You've been involved in Kids Voting so hopefully you have developed these habits already!

There are 3 ways to vote in NC

1. In person, on Election Day or primary election. Vote at your assigned polling place. The polls are open 6:30AM-7:30 PM.
2. In person, before Election Day or the primary election. Early voting provides an opportunity to cast a ballot at a central location on weekdays and weekends about 2 weeks before the election. Early voting for the primary runs April 17-May 3 at specified times and locations.
3. By mail-in absentee ballot. You can request an absentee ballot - no excuse is needed - but the county board of elections must receive the request on time (for the primary: by April 29 at 5:00 PM). It must be a written request from you or a near relative, or on a form provided by the Board of Elections and must be signed by you or the relative (a brother, sister, parent, grandparent, stepparent). All absentee requests should be mailed or hand-delivered to the appropriate elections office.