As the upcoming municipal elections approach, the Brunswick County Board of Elections reminds voters of the legal requirements for establishing residency for voting purposes. It is important to remember that residency for voting is based on where you live, and not necessarily where, or if, you own property. Questions often arise during municipal election cycles, particularly from property owners who may own homes in multiple locations.
“Owning property in a town does not automatically make you eligible to vote there. North Carolina law is clear that the place where you claim to vote must be your fixed, permanent home—the place you intend to return to when away,” said Elections Director Sara LaVere.
According to N.C.G.S. § 163-57, which defines residence for registration and voting purposes in North Carolina, the following rules apply:
- A voter’s residence is their fixed habitation, the place to which they intend to return whenever absent.
- If a person moves temporarily but intends to return, they retain their original residence for voting purposes.
- If a person moves permanently, they lose residency at their former address.
- A person cannot claim more than one residence for voting purposes.
- Owning property or paying taxes in a municipality does not establish residency there.
- To be eligible to vote in a municipal election, a voter must have established residency at least 30 days before the election date.
- Voters who move within 30 days of an election must vote using the residence they are moving from.
If you are unsure of your voting eligibility or have questions about residency, please contact the Brunswick County Board of Elections at 910-253-2620 or elections@brunswickcountync.gov.
Your vote matters—make sure it’s cast lawfully and in the right place.