Voter Rights and Responsibilities

The North Carolina Statutes outline a list of a voter's responsibilities and rights under the law. We hope you will take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with this information. Individuals with misdemeanor and felony convictions should read the NC Voting Rights Guide. 

Voter's Rights

Each registered voter has the right to:

• Vote and have his or her vote accurately counted.
• Cast a vote if he or she is in line at the official closing of the polls in that county.
• Ask for and receive assistance in voting.
• Receive up to three replacement ballots if he or she makes a mistake prior to the ballot being cast.
• An explanation if his or her registration is in question.
• If his or her registration is in question, cast a provisional ballot.
• Written instructions to use when voting, and, upon request, oral instructions in voting from election officers.
• Vote free from coercion or intimidation by elections officers or any other person.
• Vote on a voting system that is in working condition and that will allow votes to be accurately cast.

Voter's Responsibilities

Each registered voter should:

• Familiarize himself or herself with the candidates and issues.
• Maintain a current address with the Elections office.
• Know the location of his or her polling place and its hours of operation.
• Familiarize himself or herself with the operation of the voting equipment in his or her precinct.
• Treat precinct workers with courtesy.
• Respect the privacy of other voters.
• Report any problems or violations of election laws to the Elections Director.
• Ask questions, if needed.
• Make sure that his or her completed ballot is correct before leaving the polling station.

Note to Voters: Failure to perform any of these responsibilities does not prohibit a voter from voting.