Absentee Voting

Any North Carolina registered voter qualified to vote in an election may request and receive a mail-in absentee ballot for any election in which absentee voting is allowed.

• No special circumstance or reason is needed to receive and vote a mail-in absentee ballot.
• Most voters who want to vote by mail must request a ballot for each election.

The completed and signed form can be returned to the county board of elections office by mail or dropped off in-person. The request must be signed by the voter requesting absentee ballots or that voter’s near relative or verifiable legal guardian.

These requests must be received in the office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to Election Day.  Once ballots are available, ballots will be mailed within one to two days after receipt of the written request. A voter who has a sickness or a physical disability may apply or have a near relative or verifiable legal guardian request any time prior to 5:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the election. Please call 919-989-5095 for details.

Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form:

Online: N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal 

Paper: Absentee Request Form.

FAQ: Voting by Mail

FRAUDULENTLY OR FALSELY COMPLETING THIS FORM IS A CLASS I FELONY UNDER CHAPTER 163 OF THE NC GENERAL STATUTES.

 

If you cannot access the form from the link above, you may call 919-989-5095 for an Absentee Request Form or you may come to the Smithfield Elections Office. You may also find more information pertaining to Absentee Voting on the NC State Board of Elections website: 

Send completed and signed requests to:
Absentee Voting Department
Johnston County Board of Elections
P.O. Box 1172
Smithfield, NC 27577

 

Military or overseas voters have special rights under the Uniform and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

The following individuals, who are eligible to register and who are qualified to vote in any statewide primary or election held under the laws of North Carolina, and who are absent from the county of his or her residence are entitled to register and vote by military or overseas absentee ballot:

1. Individuals serving in the active and reserve components of armed forces of the United States, including, but not limited to, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard who is on active duty; the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, the commissioned corps the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and members of the National Guard or State militia unit who is on activated status.
2. Spouse or dependent of a member referred to in this subdivision.
3. "Overseas voter" means a United States citizen who is outside the United States and satisfies this State’s voter eligibility requirements.
4. Other individuals meeting the definitions of "absent uniformed services voter" and "overseas voter" in the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
5. "United States" used in the territorial sense, means the several states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

How can I apply?

Access the Federal Voting Assistance website for more information.
Download the Federal Post Card Application Form (FPCA).

Send signed and completed FPCA to: 
Absentee Voting Department
Johnston County Board of Elections
P.O. Box 1172
Smithfield, NC 27577

 

If you have any questions, please call 919-989-5095 or visit the NC State Board of Elections website.