To make sure you have all the tools you need for the upcoming election, Bennett College has partnered with nonpartisan organizations including ALL IN To Vote, Campus Compact, Campus Vote Project, HBCU Alliance Common Cause, and You Can Vote.  We've got everything you need to know right here.

Register

The first step is to make sure you’re registered
and that your registration is up to date.

Check your voter registration

Make sure you’re registered to vote at your current address by checking the State Board of Elections public voter search. In NC, go to the State Board of Elections Voter Search. Students in other states can search the National Association of Secretaries of State "Can I Vote?" page.

ALL IN To Vote Online Tool

Use the ALL IN To Vote online tool. It walks you accurately through the registration process. Or keep reading about how to register on your own.

Do It Before the Deadline

To vote in in NC, your registration form must be postmarked, delivered, or submitted online no later than 25 days before the date of the election. The 2020 deadline is October 9.

Register Early In-Person

If you miss the voter registration deadline, you may register and vote during Early In-Person Voting dates. Check the Early In-Person Voting site for same-day registration guidelines. Take proof of residency with you to the polling site:

  1. North Carolina driver license (with current address).
  2. Photo ID issued by any government agency. The card must have your name and current address.
  3. A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing your name and current address.

Why wait? Register to Vote Here allintovote.org/register

Election Dates

Don’t miss these important 2020 election dates.

Plan to vote in your home state? Check your state’s board of elections website for upcoming 2020 elections.  Voting in North Carolina? You can vote here if you’re registered as a student here. 

October 9

Deadline to register to vote

If you don’t register by this date, you can still register in person during Early In-Person Voting at one of the polling sites in your county.

October 15-31

Early voting 

Check this link for Guilford County early voting locations. You can register in person during these dates.

October 27, 5 PM ET

Deadline to request an absentee ballot

But request it ASAP, fill it out as soon as you get it and mail it so it will arrive on time. Better yet: deliver it in person at your county’s Board of Elections office. Don’t wait until the last minute.

November 3

Election Day 

No matter what, make sure your voice is heard. Vote!

Make A Plan

Be intentional and make a plan to vote.
There are three ways to it.

Vote Early In-Person

You can cast your ballot before election day if you’re in NC between October 15-31. Go to an early voting location in the county where you’re registered. This may be different from your regular precinct. Check your Board of Elections for a list of polling places.

Vote on Election Day

Vote in person at your assigned voting precinct. Double check your district voting precinct ahead of time. NC voters can search polling location and hours here: vt.ncsbe.gov/PPLkup/.

Absentee Voting by Mail

Any North Carolina registered voter can request and receive a by-mail absentee ballot for any election. No special circumstance or excuse is needed. To receive a mail-in absentee ballot for an election, request a NC absentee ballot online by October 27th at 5 p.m. You can also use the State Absentee Ballot Request form to get a ballot for a near relative.

The ballot must be returned or postmarked by 5 p.m. on Election Day. Mail it in or deliver it in-person to the Board of Elections.

If you are a student here, but registered to vote in another state, you may request an absentee ballot from your state that will allow you to vote by mail in your home state. The ballot request and return deadlines vary from state to state. Keep track of those due dates.

If you request and receive a mail-in ballot and later decide to vote in-person, you may do so. Just DON'T mail your absentee ballot.

Why wait? Register to Vote Here allintovote.org/register

FAQs

Online voting information tools can answer any questions
you have about who is running and how, when, and where to vote.

North Carolina voters will vote for President of the United States, U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Governor of NC, NC State House, NC State Senate, NC State Supreme Court, District Judges, and other state and local offices.
NC Voter Look-Up Tool offers a sample ballot that shows which candidates will be on your ballot, based on where you are registered to vote. You must be registered to vote in order to view the sample ballot for your county.
Educate yourself on each candidate’s record, policies, and platform. Vote for people who represent your interests. Want to know more about each? Check the website www.vote411.org/ballot to learn about the candidates that are on your ballot.
Not sure of your precinct or district or ward? The NC Voter Look-Up Tool is a great resource for this and all kinds of information you need to know to vote effectively for the people who will be representing you.
Well, that depends! Different county and districts will have different candidates. Your address will determine which districts and candidates will be on your ballot. If you are a registered to vote in NC, do a voter look-up and download a sample ballot, which shows all the choices you’ll have on Election Day. Students can also visit vote411.org.
It’s up to you. Please review this guide NC State Board of Elections to learn about different party affiliations. North Carolina recognizes five parties: Constitution, Democratic, Green, Libertarian and Republican. You can choose one of these political parties when you complete a voter registration application, or you may choose not to register with a political party affiliation. If you do not choose a party, you will be designated as Unaffiliated. In a General Election, voters may vote for the candidate(s) of their choice, regardless of the candidate(s)’ party affiliation.
No, not yet. In NC, you don’t need a photo ID for the upcoming primary election. Other states may have different guidelines. Check your state Board of Elections.

There are some circumstances under which newly registered voters—first time voters in a new county and/or same-day registration during early voting—may need to verify their residence by providing additional documentation. In that case, you’ll need:

  • North Carolina driver license OR
  • Other photo identification issued by a government agency. Any government-issued photo ID is acceptable, so long as it has your name and current address. OR
  • A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter’s name and address
Other tools that you can use to assist your decision can be found at youcanvote.org/wob and vote411.org.

Resources

Helpful online resources for
those seeking more information.

Phone

(336) 517-2100

Address

Bennett College
900 E. Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401

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