Believe it or not, the United States Constitution does not grant citizens the right to vote. That right is left up to state governments to define. However, the Constitution, the Voting Rights Act, and other federal laws do prohibit discrimination in how voting rights are granted, applied or enforced.

 

There are also many North Carolina laws that establish your rights as a voter. All of these regulations have contributed to the North Carolina Voters’ Bill of Rights. This bill of rights appears below. In addition, the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) contain guidelines about:

• Identification and verification requirements for registering voters. 
• Availability of voter registration forms in social service offices, driver’s license offices, etc.
• Standards for voting machines and polling places, including accessibility for voters with disabilities.
• Rules for using provisional ballots.

 

The North Carolina Voters' Bill of Rights

Democracy North Carolina and the Institute for Southern Studies used all of these laws and guidelines to create the NC Voters’ Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights has 10 major components:

 

In North Carolina, you have the RIGHT TO VOTE . . .

1.   . . . between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm on Election Day, or if you are in line or inside the polling place before the polls close at 7:30 pm. (NC General Statute (NCGS 163-166.01) 

2.   . . . without presenting any identification or your voter registration card to poll workers. (NCGS 163-82.8) However, if you are a first-time voter who registered to vote by mail without providing a NC driver’s license or Social Security number or other identification, it makes sense to take with you a current and valid photo ID, or a document showing your name and current address, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, or a bill, license, permit, letter or other document from a government agency. (NCGS 163-166.12)

 

3.  . . . by provisional ballot if you submitted a voter registration form in the county, but your name is not on the rolls; or if you believe you’ve registered but your name is not on the list; or if you question the voting district (or ballot) assigned to you and believe that you are qualified to vote a different ballot. (N.C. Administrative Code 10B.0103d.) You must also be given a way to find out whether the provisional ballot was counted, and if not, the reason it was not counted. (NCGS 163-166.11(3))

 

4.   . . . at your same assigned polling place, if you have moved within the same precinct or changed your name without telling election officials. (NCGS 163-82.15, 163-82.16) 

 

5.   . . . in your new precinct or at a central location if you have moved and lived in your new location for 30 days or more. If you moved and have lived in your new location for less than 30 days, you must vote in your old precinct, cast a provisional ballot in your new precinct, or vote early at an Early Voting site in your county. (NCGS 163-82.15) 

 

6.   . . . by using another ballot, if you make a mistake and “spoil” your first ballot. You can spoil up to three ballots. (NCAC 10B.0104b)

 

7.   . . . with assistance from a person of your choice, except your employer or agent of your union, if you cannot easily read or write or if you are blind or otherwise disabled. (NCGS 163-166.8)

 

8.   . . . with assistance at the curb, in the vehicle you came in, or at the door of the polling place if the polling place is inaccessible to you due to a disability. (NCGS 163-166.9)

 

9.   . . .if you are in jail, as long as your citizenship has not been forfeited, or if you are an ex-felon who has completed all terms of your sentence, including parole and probation -- and if you have registered or re-registered to vote. (NCGS 13-1)

 

10.  . . . without being intimidated or forced to vote for anyone you don’t wish to vote for. (NCGS 163-271).

You also have the right to take this bill of rights
into the voting booth with you.