Assistance to Voters

Any voter, regardless of whether they have a disability, may receive assistance from a near relative. 

A voter whose disability prevents him or her from entering the voting booth or marking a ballot without assistance, or a voter who is illiterate, may get help from any person, except for the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union.

Additional information on assistance to voters can be found on the State Board of Elections website.

Curbside Voting

In any election, if any voter is able to travel to the voting place, but because of age or physical disability and physical barriers encountered at the voting place is unable to enter the voting enclosure to vote in person without physical assistance, that voter will be allowed to vote in the vehicle conveying that voter.

Curbside voting is available at all voting sites during the one-stop absentee voting period and on election day. Voting sites will have signage indicating curbside voting and will also have a curbside alert system. An election official will come to the vehicle to obtain the voter’s name and address. Before a ballot is issued to a curbside voter, the voter must swear an oath affirming his or her qualification to use curbside voting.

Ballot Marking Device

Voters with a disability can vote independently using a ballot marking device. The ballot marking device can be especially beneficial to voters who are blind or have motor disabilities which make it difficult to mark a ballot with a pen.  The device allows voters to mark their ballot using a controller or touching the screen.  There is also audio capability meaning the voter can listen to their ballot.  After making selections, the device prints a ballot that can then be inserted in the scanner. 

Every polling place in North Carolina has a ballot marking device so you can vote independently and privately. These machines can be used by anyone, just ask a poll worker.

Additional Information

Visit the State Board of Elections website to learn about accessible voting options for voters with disabilities.