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Frequently Asked Questions
How and where can I get a voter registration form?
- Public Library
- Department of Social Services
- Town halls
- Board of Elections office at 1800 N. Greene St., Suite C, Greenville NC 27834
- Print a form from our website.
Complete and sign form, then mail to PO Box 56, Greenville, NC 27835. Registered voters may use the form to update their name, address and party. Registered voters may also update their registration information by completing the right-hand side of their voter card and mailing/delivering it to the Pitt County Board of Elections.
Can I go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office to register to vote?
- Yes, you may register or update your voter registration when obtaining or renewing your NC Driver’s License or Identification Card.
When is the deadline to register to vote in an election?
- If hand-delivered, the registration form must be received at the Board of Elections office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 25th day prior to the election.
- If mailed, the registration form must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election.
May I fax or email a voter registration form?
- Yes, you may fax or email your registration form, but if it is a new registration or change of party affiliation, the Board of Elections must receive your original signature at least 20 days prior to the election.
May I sign a voter registration form for someone else?
- No, only a voter may sign his or her registration form. You are not permitted to sign the form for your spouse, child or parent, even if you have power of attorney for the person.
I have completed my felony sentence, do I have to prove it or apply in any special way?
- No, just re-register within the time limits of the election.
Can people who will be 18 years old by Election Day register and vote in the Primary as well as the General Election?
- Yes, a 17 year old may register and vote if they will become 18 years old on or before Election Day.
How do I know if my voter registration is up to date?
- Click here to confirm the status of your voter registration, find your voting location, and view a sample ballot for the upcoming election. You can also call the Pitt County Board of Elections office at 252-902-3300.
What if my name or address has been entered incorrectly on the registration rolls?
- You should contact the Board of Elections in writing to have this correction made. If the error is realized during One-Stop or on Election Day, precinct officials have forms that you may complete and leave with them so that the correction to your voter record can be made.
When can I change my party affiliation?
- You may change your party affiliation any time before the registration deadline, except between First and Second Primaries. You may not change your party affiliation during One-Stop voting.
What does party affiliation mean?
- Party affiliation determines the Primary in which a voter is eligible to vote. In NC a voter may register with the following parties:
- Democratic Party
- Green Party
- Libertarian Party
- No Labels Party
- Republican Party
- Party affiliation determines the Primary in which a voter is eligible to vote. In NC a voter may register with the following parties:
If you do not declare a party, you will be registered as Unaffiliated.
I am registered Unaffiliated. May I vote in a Primary?
- Yes. If you are an Unaffiliated voter, you can choose to participate in any recognized party’s Primary, or you may request a non-partisan ballot. However, you must choose only one party's Primary. Participating in a partisan Primary will not affect your status as an Unaffiliated voter. If you request a non-partisan ballot, you will only vote for those contests that are non-partisan (i.e. referenda, constitutional amendments, etc.).
If I don't vote, will my voter record be purged from the voter registration rolls?
- Voter registration records are not “purged” simply due to non-voting. Voters are removed from the voter rolls due to a biennial list maintenance process that is mandated by Federal and State law. If a County Board of Elections has not had any contact with a voter for a period of two Federal election cycles, then the voter will be sent a forwardable address confirmation mailing. The voter will be required to return the confirmation mailing within 30 days of the mailing. If the confirmation mailing is not returned by the voter within that time, or the mailing is returned by the postal system as undeliverable, then the voter’s record will be marked inactive in the voter registration database. Inactive voters are still registered voters. If an inactive voter presents to vote, the person will be asked to update his or her address with the Board of Elections. In the event that an inactive voter remains in this status for another two Federal election cycles (meaning the county board still has no contact with the voter), then the voter will be removed as a voter in the county.
How are ineligible voters removed from the voter registration rolls?
- In NC, County Boards of Elections follow a comprehensive list maintenance schedule to remove names of individuals who are no longer eligible to be registered due to death, felony conviction, removal from the county, or lack of voter contact.
When are the polls open?
- On Election Day, the polls are open from 6:30 AM until 7:30 PM.
How do I know where to vote?
- The Board of Elections will send a voter card in the mail when you register to vote or make an information change; or, if the Board of Elections assigns you to a new precinct or polling place. Your precinct and polling place is printed on the card. You are assigned a polling place based on the precinct where you live. If you do not know where to vote or if you have moved from the residence address we have on file, don't wait until Election Day! You may experience a delay in voting if your residence address is not up to date.
Look up your registration status and polling place location here.
Where can I view a sample ballot?
- Near the date of the next election, you can view and print a sample ballot here.
When will the One-Stop early voting sites open?
- One-Stop voting begins the 3rd Thursday prior to Election Day.
How should I vote if I moved within Pitt County but did not send an address change before the election?
- If you moved within Pitt County more than 30 days prior to an election and failed to notify the Board of Elections, you have two options:
- Vote early at any One-Stop early voting site. Voters may change their address and vote the correct ballot for that updated address when voting at any One-Stop early voting site. Near the date of the next election visit this website to view a list of One-Stop early voting sites. One-Stop early voting is the easiest and quickest option if you did not update your address.
- Vote at your new precinct on Election Day. You may be required to vote a provisional ballot. Please give yourself plenty of time to update your information at your new precinct. The process requires additional time to complete the forms necessary to update your information before you can be issued a ballot.
- If you moved within Pitt County more than 30 days prior to an election and failed to notify the Board of Elections, you have two options:
Can I vote in Pitt County if I moved to the county less than 30 days before Election Day?
- No, you must have lived in Pitt County 30 days prior to the election.
I drive by a polling place on my way to work. Can I just vote there?
- You should vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day. Your name will only appear on the list of voters verified to vote in your assigned precinct.
What if I am unable to enter the polling place because of age or physical disability?
- You may request an absentee ballot by mail. If you prefer to vote on Election Day or at an early voting site but are unable to enter the facility, you may vote outside the voting location in your car. This procedure is called "curbside voting." Look for the curbside voting sign near the entrance to the voting place and park there. A Poll Worker will assist you in verifying your registration information and bringing you a ballot. If a Poll Worker does not immediately provide assistance, please ask someone to enter the polling place and inform the Poll Workers that you need assistance.
What do I do if I go to the wrong polling place and don't have time to go to the right one?
- You should make your best effort to get to your assigned polling place by 7:30 p.m. Election Day. Voters who appear on Election Day in their correct county but in an incorrect precinct may cast a Provisional Ballot. These ballots will be counted for all contests in which the voter is eligible to participate. Any voter may request to vote a Provisional Ballot regardless of the situation.
What do I do if they can't find me on the registration book and I'm sure I've registered?
- After the Poll Worker has called the Board of Elections office and are still unable to locate your registration information, you may vote a Provisional Ballot. We research all Provisional Ballot information after the Election and prior to County Canvass. Any qualified Provisional Voter's Ballot is counted and added to the official totals at the time of Canvass by the Board of Elections. Prior to the Election, you may want to check on-line to verify your registration.
- After the Poll Worker has called the Board of Elections office and are still unable to locate your registration information, you may vote a Provisional Ballot. We research all Provisional Ballot information after the Election and prior to County Canvass. Any qualified Provisional Voter's Ballot is counted and added to the official totals at the time of Canvass by the Board of Elections. Prior to the Election, you may want to check on-line to verify your registration.
What is a Provisional Voter?
- A Provisional voter is one who appears at a polling place on Election Day, claims to have registered to vote, but does not appear on the registration lists.
I plan to bring a voter to vote curbside. Can I sit in the car and vote curbside too?
- Only if you qualify by age or physical disability that you cannot enter the polling place.
If a voter is physically disabled, can they ask someone to help them mark their ballot?
- Yes, any voter who would like someone’s assistance in order to vote may ask for it. The voter must request this assistance himself or herself. Assistance may be provided by any person of their choice, except their employer or union agent. Alternately, a Poll Worker may assist the voter.
If I am guardian to a person who is mentally disabled, can I vote for him or her the way I know s/he would want to vote?
- No. Although it is okay to physically assist a voter, all voters must be able to make their own decision about their ballot choices.
Can I wear campaign clothing or take materials to vote?
- Yes, as long as you don’t leave campaign materials or campaign while in the voting location. The polling place is checked regularly for campaign materials. If they are found, they are promptly discarded.
How can I become a Poll Worker?
- Please complete a Poll Worker Application and deliver or mail to the Pitt County Board of Elections.
How do I become a high school Student Election Assistant on Election Day?
- Any high school student at least 17 years of age and in good academic standing, and with permission from parents and principal, should complete a Student Election Assistant Application and submit it to the Board of Elections. Approved students will be paid for training and work.
Who can vote by mail-in absentee ballot?
- Any registered voter. It is not necessary for the voter to actually be absent on Election Day. Any registered voter can vote a civilian mail-in absentee ballot. NC voters who are active-duty military, US citizens who are overseas on Election Day, or family members of those two groups may also vote through special absentee ballot options (for more information about military-overseas absentee voting, click here).
If I want to vote absentee by mail, when is the deadline to submit my request?
- The last day to request an absentee ballot is a week before the Election (the Tuesday prior to Election Day). The request must be in the Board of Elections office by 5:00 p.m. Requests must be submitted on the State Absentee Ballot Request Form which is available on our website and the State Board of Elections website.
Can I apply for an absentee ballot for my child away at college if s/he is registered to vote here?
- A near relative (spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent or stepchild) may request an absentee ballot for a voter using the Absentee Ballot Request Form on our website or on the State Board of Elections website. The ballot must be mailed to the voter from the board of elections office. The voter must vote their ballot, complete their application envelope according to instructions provided, and mail or hand-deliver it back to the Board of Elections office. A near-relative may also return the ballot to the Board of Elections office for the voter.
- A near relative (spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent or stepchild) may request an absentee ballot for a voter using the Absentee Ballot Request Form on our website or on the State Board of Elections website. The ballot must be mailed to the voter from the board of elections office. The voter must vote their ballot, complete their application envelope according to instructions provided, and mail or hand-deliver it back to the Board of Elections office. A near-relative may also return the ballot to the Board of Elections office for the voter.
Can someone else bring in an absentee ballot for the voter who is out of town?
- Once the voter has voted and completed their application envelope according to instructions provided, it can be returned to our office by mail or in person by the voter, the voter's near relative or verifiable legal guardian.
If I am in the military or live overseas, how do I vote absentee?
- Military and overseas citizens may submit an FPCA form (Federal Post Card Application) in order to receive ballots. They can download a form from www.fvap.gov or obtain an FPCA form from an Embassy, Consulate, or superior officer. The request should be mailed or emailed to the last county in which they resided (regardless of registration status).
Are absentee ballots and provisional ballots only counted when the election contest is tied or the results are close?
- No. All ballots are counted in the official election results. Election results that are reported on Election night are not official. These unofficial results will include votes from Election Day, One-Stop early voting sites, and mail-in absentee ballots that were received in time to be counted on Election Day. Before the elections office finalizes the official count (through a process called canvass), the Board of Elections will also include in the count all timely mail-in absentee ballots received on or after Election Day, as well as provisional votes that the Board of Elections determines to be properly cast.