Absentee and One-stop Voting

Voters do not need to provide a reason in order to vote absentee, whether voting absentee in person via one-stop voting or voting absentee by mail.

One-Stop Absentee Voting

To vote one-stop absentee, the voter appears in person at a prescribed location, completes an application, and then casts his/her ballot. The time frame for one-stop voting is the third Thursday before an election through the Saturday before the election. Curbside voting is available throughout the entire one-stop voting period. Please refer to the “Voting” section of this website for more curbside voting information.

One-Stop early voting for the 2020 Primary election begins Thursday, February 13 and ends on Saturday, February 29.

• One-Stop Schedule

Same Day Registration

If a Brunswick County resident misses the voter registration deadline and have been a resident of the county for 30 days prior to the election, they may go to any one-stop early voting site to register and vote the same day.  The individual will be required to provide acceptable proof of residence before they can become registered.  The Notice to Same Day Registrants provides more details, including a list of acceptable proof of residence documents.  Same day registration is only available during one-stop early voting; it is not available on election day.

Postal Absentee Voting (By Mail)

Postal absentee ballots must be requested using the State Absentee Request Form. Either the voter or the voter’s near relative or qualified legal guardian may request an absentee ballot. A “near relative” is defined as the voter’s spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild.

The voter’s identification number must be provided on the absentee request form. If the voter’s identification number (NC driver license number, NC DMV-issued identification card number, or last four digits of social security number) is not provided, then a copy of one of the following must be provided along with this request:

1. A current and valid photo identification.
2. A document that shows the name and residential address of the voter: a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.

Absentee balloting materials are mailed to voters once ballots for an election are available. Absentee ballots are available 60 days prior to the date of a statewide general election, 50 days prior to the date of a primary election, and 30 days prior to the date of a municipal election.

Completed request forms must be received by the Board of Elections no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the date of the election.  Requests may be returned by mail, fax, or email.

Address:  Brunswick County Board of Elections, PO Box 2, Bolivia, NC, 28422

Email:  elections@brunswickcountync.gov

Fax:  910-253-2618

Voted absentee ballots are due at the Board of Elections office at 5:00 pm on Election Day if hand delivered.  Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received in the office three days after the election.

A new absentee ballot request must be submitted for each election.  The law allows annual absentee ballot requests only if there is a sickness or physical disability.

State Absentee Ballot Request Form

Uniformed and Overseas Voters

There are certain processes and opportunities available to uniformed (military) and U.S. citizens residing overseas (whether temporarily or indefinitely) which facilitate their ability to more quickly request, receive, and return absentee ballots. If you, or someone you know, would qualify as a uniformed or overseas voter and you would like to vote, it is to your advantage to look into these opportunities.

UOCAVA Election Notice

Please visit either of the following websites:

1. The Overseas Vote Foundation
2. The Federal Voting Assistance Program
   1. FVAP North Carolina Guide

Please call the Brunswick County Board of Elections at (910) 253-2620 with any questions.