North Carolina 

2024 Voting Information and Resources for Disabled Voters

Email organizing@newdisabledsouth.org to request this page in document format.

Have questions about voting, need assistance or want to report any barriers you ran into registering or voting? 

Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

ASL Hotline: 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)

The deadline to register to vote in the 2024 General Election has passed. 

  • Voting in person

    • Thursday, October 17 to Saturday, November 2: Early in person voting at any polling place in the county where you’re registered. Days, hours and locations vary by county.

    • Tuesday, November 5: Election Day! You can vote from 6:30am to 7:30pm at your assigned polling location.

    • Make your plan to vote now: 

      • Find your polling place

      • You must have an accepted photo ID to vote. Have questions about Voter ID? Need help getting a Voter ID or want to know if you can still vote if you don't have one? Call or text VoteRiders at 866-432-8683

      • Decide how you’re going to get to and from your polling place. Arrange your transportation ahead of time, don’t wait until the day you want to vote! 

      • Get your friends, family or neighbors to go vote with you

      • Find out what will be on your ballot

        • By calling your state Board of Elections at (919) 814-0700 or by visiting www.ncsbe.gov/voting/sample-ballot 

        • There may be ballot measures, local offices, state offices and federal offices on your ballot. 

        • A ballot measure is a law, issue, or question that you can vote on. They can include important questions about supporting your community & keeping it safe. 

        • State level politicians shape policies & make decisions about programs like Medicaid, waivers, healthcare, affordable housing, schools & more!

        • Local politicians decide things like where or how much public transportation there is, access to voting and how smooth or clean our streets are. 

      • Research the candidates and issues before you vote: 

  • Need a ride to the polls? 

    • Disability Rights North Carolina is offering rides to the polls: call 888-WEVOTE

  • Voting by mail/absentee

    • Any voter in North Carolina can vote by mail. 

    • Requesting your ballot (do it ASAP if you’re voting by mail):

    • Returning your ballot:

      • After you complete your absentee ballot, your ballot must be received by 7:30pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

      • You can return your ballot by mail, in person at your county board of elections office or in person at an open early voting site in your county (you may NOT return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day) 

  • Accommodations and Assistance for Voters with Disabilities in North Carolina: 

    • In person voting:

      • If you need help voting in person, you are allowed to have someone help you. If you have a physical disability, are blind or can’t read the ballot you can choose someone to help you vote (they can be anyone of your choosing except your boss) 

      • If your polling place is inaccessible, or if you are unable to enter the polling place without assistance due to age or disability (including being at greater risk of COVID-19) , North Carolina allows voters to vote outside of their polling place. This is called curbside voting. Reach out to your local election office for more information about curbside voting.

      • Every polling place should have an assistive technology device that is accessible or an accessible voting machine that can be operated with audio controls and push button controls. It also has other types of controls that connect to a voter’s existing assistive technology, like a straw that allows for breath control.

        • Ways an accessible voting machine can help you vote: 

          • You can use a touch screen or tactile keypad to click through each question and mark your choices. Some accessible machines also allow you to plug in a sip-and-puff device. 

          • You can make the font bigger and change the colors to make the ballot easier to read. 

          • The voting machine also has headphones. The machine can read your ballot out loud to you, so you can listen to the questions.

          • You can go back through your ballot choices and make sure you selected the right ones before printing your ballot and casting your vote. 

      • In order to vote in person you only need to be able to communicate who you are and where you live. That can be done verbally, written or with assistance from someone accompanying you. If a poll worker tells you that you must be able to state your name and address clearly in order to vote, they are wrong. 

    • Absentee/by mail voting:

      • Any registered North Carolina voter can vote by mail in this state. This is called absentee voting. 

      • “If you a blind or visually impaired voter in North Carolina, you may request, mark, and return an accessible absentee ballot online through the NC Absentee Ballot Portal”. This system is compatible with screen readers and allows for a digital or typed signature. 

      • If you need assistance voting due to a disability generally you may receive assistance from any person you choose (that person must be at least 18 and may not be a candidate). 

        • If you are a patient or resident of a hospital, clinic, nursing home or rest home the staff may assist you. 

 Resources & additional information for disabled voters: 

  • What if I have questions about voting, need assistance or want to report any barriers I faced with voting? 

    • Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) 

      • Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)

      • Asian Languages/English 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)

      • Arabic/English 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)

    • Or call Disability Rights North Carolina: 919-856-2195

      • Toll Free (within NC): 1-877-235-4210

      • (TTY) Relay Service: 711 or

        • 800-735-2962 for English

        • 888-825-6570 for Spanish

  • Can I vote if I have a disability? Yes! People with disabilities who are 18 or older have the right to vote. Your vote matters and is protected by law to make sure that you can vote independently, accessibly and privately. 

  • Can I vote if I have a guardian? In North Carolina, you can still vote if you have a guardian. For help understanding or getting back your right to vote, reach out to Disability Rights North Carolina.

  • How do I know if I can vote? Ask your guardian. If they won’t tell you, call Disability Rights North Carolina at 919-856-2195

Other voting resources: