There are several different ways that students can vote in North Carolina: One-Stop Early Voting, Election Day Voting, and absentee voting. If you are unsure of your current voter registration status it’s quick and easy to check your registration status online.

Starting Thursday, October 17, 2024, One-Stop Early Voting begins in North Carolina and continues daily until Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 3 p.m. ET.

During this time, you can register and vote, all at once at any early voting location in Forsyth County – locations to be determined at a later date. See below for everything you need to know in preparation for one-stop early voting!

For individuals wishing to vote in person on Election Day in North Carolina, or wish to request an absentee ballot in North Carolina, Friday, October 11 is the Voter Registration Deadline.

For individuals looking to vote absentee in the state of North Carolina, Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (5 PM ET), is the last day to request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballot regulations vary by state, students who wish to vote absentee in their home state should reach out to their local board of elections to get information on their state and county’s process and deadlines.

All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If a voter cannot show photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form. If absentee-by-mail voters are unable to include a copy of their photo ID with their ballot return envelope, they can also fill out an ID Exception Form with their ballot.

Early Voting Dates & Times

Free Rides to the Polls for Early Voting

We want to make voting as easy as possible for students, so Deacs Decide has teamed up with Parking and Transportation Services to offer free rides to the polls!

The Deacon Station Shuttle will be running Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM from Shelter A throughout the Early Voting period to get you to the Polo Park Community Center voting site stress-free.

Students who want to vote on Saturday or Sunday during the Early Voting period must find their own transportation to the Early Voting site of their choice.

For students voting on Election Day, shuttles will run from the Benson University Center starting at 8 AM. Please determine that you are heading to the appropriate voting location for your precinct before heading out to vote.

Completing Your Voter Registration Form

Students who live on campus and are completing or updating their registration for Forsyth County will need to provide two different addresses on their registration - their mailing and residential address. 

Students who live off campus - in Non-WFU housing and receive mail at their residential address - should list their local NC mailing address.

Proof of Residency

If you’re registering to vote or updating your voter registration during one-stop voting, you need to provide Proof of Residency in North Carolina. We have you covered, whether you live on- or off-campus. 

Bring hard copies of your proof of residency with you when you go to vote. 

As a reminder, if you registered to vote in Forsyth County in 2020 or 2022, and now live at a different address, residence hall, or apartment, you must update your voter registration for 2024.

If you decide to register in your home state, you will need to request an absentee ballot.  

Absentee ballot regulations vary by state, students should reach out to their local board of elections to get information on their state and county's process and deadlines.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (5 PM ET cutoff) is the last day to request an absentee ballot in North Carolina, however, we don't recommend waiting that long. The earlier your request, the better.

If you are voting by mail in North Carolina, voters must include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot, or they may complete an ID Exception Form. The voter will place the photocopy of ID or ID Exception Form in a pocket on the outside of the ballot container envelope, which is then placed in an outer return envelope to protect the privacy of the voter. Students can get their DeaconOne Card or NC Driver's License scanned at no cost at the Benson Copy Center (Benson 334) or Office of Civic & Community Engagement (Benson 506).

Already mailed in your ballot? Track it here (NC only) or here (other states).

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

You can find your designated polling location on your Voter Registration Card, which you will find in your P.O. Box leading up to the election, or online through the Forsyth County Board of Elections.

Please note that the Reynolda Campus is divided into two districts; please be sure to check your assigned polling location to vote in person at the correct site on Election Day.

• If you are the recipient of a home state higher education aid program, please visit the Financial Aid Website for more information. 
• In the state of North Carolina, you now do need to show a photo ID to vote in the 2024 election. If you are not a North Carolina resident your DeaconOne Card will serve as your photo ID. 
• In North Carolina, it's illegal to snap a picture of your completed ballot. We know you're excited, for some of you it may be your first time voting in a presidential election, just snap a picture with your "I Voted" sticker instead of your ballot.
• If you requested a mail-in ballot, but would rather vote in person, you can. In North Carolina, as long as you did not fill out or send back a mail-in ballot you can change your mind and vote in person instead. We recommend voting during the early voting period so that if you need to update your registration you can.
  • If you requested an absentee/mail-in ballot from another state, please check with your state's Board of Elections or your local election office. 
• If you are in line when the polls close, you legally have the right to vote. If anyone tells you otherwise, do not leave your spot in line and call the North Carolina Election Protection Hotline at 888-687-8683.
• Forsyth County Sample Ballot