Register and Vote

REGISTER

Timely registration is a precondition to voting.

Click to the right to find out your registration status in NC.

 

Voter Registration Application/Update Form & Instructions

NC English

Form

Instructions

 

If you are a North Carolina resident, please use this form.  Processing of your application will be facilitated if you mail the form to the Board of Elections at the address on the right.
NC Spanish

Form

Instructions

 

Si usted es residente de Carolina del Norte, por favor use este formulario.  La tramitación de su solicitud se facilitará si envía el formulario a la Junta Electoral del Condado a la dirección de la derecha.

Registration Deadlines
Registration application forms must be either postmarked or received by the Board of Elections no later than 25 days before the election in which you wish to vote.

Registration Requirements
To vote in Beaufort County, you must be:

  • A U.S. Citizen
  • A Resident of North Carolina and this county for 30 days before the election
  • At least 18 years of age on or before the next general election
  • Not registered and not voting in any other county or state
  • If convicted of a felony, your rights of citizenship have been restored


If you move out of your precinct, but remain within Beaufort County, you should notify the board office in writing of your new address.

Pre-Registration Requirements - initiated in 2010. A U.S. Citizen who is at least 16 years of age may Pre-Register using the North Carolina Voter Registration Application. Applicants who are 17 but who will be 18 on or before the next general or regular municipal election will be processed no earlier than 60 days prior to any partisan or non-partisan primary election. One must be 17 1/2 to vote in a partisan primary election. 17 1/2 year olds may not vote in school board elections. An applicant who is too young to be processed as a voter at the time the application is submitted will receive a letter acknowledging that the Board of Elections has received the application. The application will be retained in a queue until applicant is of age for the application to be processed through the voter registration database. If an applicant under the age of 16 submits a pre-registration application it will be denied and the applicant will be sent a denial letter. Mail Forms to: Mail completed voter registration applications to: Beaufort County Board of Elections, PO Box 1016, Washington,  NC  27889.

Registration application forms may also be obtained at the following locations:

  • Board of Elections Office
  • Public Libraries
  • Persons having business with the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles may register to vote with the DMV

Changing Party Affiliation - deadline is 25 days before the election. If you wish to change your party affiliation, you must complete either a Voter Registration Application Form (downloaded from address above) or complete the reverse side of a Voter Verification Card that has been mailed to you, and return it to the Board of Elections. All changes must be either postmarked or received in the Board of Elections office at least 25 days before the election.

Verification Process
After a voter application/update has been processed, a voter verification card will be mailed to the voter indicating their correct precinct and polling place location.

VOTE

Election-Day Voting

The traditional method of voting a ballot on the designated election day in person continues to be one of the ways in which voters cast ballots. 

2012 Election (Important Dates)

Filing period - February 13-29

Primary Election - May 8 (Polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm)

Second Primary Election (if necessary) - June 26

General Election - November 6 (Polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm)

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is comprised of two methods by which registered voters may cast ballots other than the traditional method of appearing in person and casting a ballot on the day of the election. These methods are absentee by mail and absentee one-stop.  


Absentee by Mail

Any voter registered in Beaufort County can request an absentee ballot from the Beaufort County Board of Elections prior to the last Tuesday before the election.   An application and ballots will be mailed to the voter after the receipt of the written request.  Click here for more information.


Absentee One-Stop (Early Voting)

Any voter registered in Beaufort County 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. Dates, times, and locations vary by election and will be posted prior to each election on this site and in the newspaper. Please check back.

Voting Equipment

Beaufort County uses voting equipment with optical scan technology that allows for paper ballots to be marked and read with a device that records marks and leaves a full paper trail of marked ballots.  For more information, see Voting Equipment Used in Beaufort County.