How Changing Your Name Can Impact Your Right to Vote

In North Carolina new voter identification laws take effect this year. This means that you must have an approved ID that matches your voter registration information in order to vote. Please pay attention to this information to ensure your right to have a voice in the election process.

All changes to your voter registration information must be completed at least 25 days prior to the election. This year’s primary election will be held on March 15, 2016. This means that any change to your registration must be completed prior to February 19. For anyone who is doing a formal name change after getting married, this name change must be completed no later than February 19, 2016. The same is true for address changes. You can access the forms to change any of your voter registration information for North Carolina here.

If you are worried about how to be sure you can legally vote on March 15 if you can’t get your name change completed by February 19, you have a couple of options.

The first option is to wait until after the March elections to do your name change. This will not prevent you from notifying employers, banks, insurance etc of your change in marital status.

Another option is to request an absentee ballot. This can be done up to 60 days prior to the election and must be returned no later than 5:00 pm on the Tuesday before the election day. Full information on absentee ballots and the required form to request a ballot is located here.

The last and probably least desirable option is to vote on election day using a provisional ballot. This slows down the lines and increases the amount of time you will need in order to vote. But, you will be able to vote and have your vote counted this way. This website gives you the information you need to successfully cast a provisional ballot.

This is not legal advice. Check with your local Board of Elections if you have any questions about your personal situation.