2023 Municipal Elections

Voter Photo ID Update

• Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina, starting with the 2023 Municipal Elections. Voters will also be asked to show photo ID in the 2024 Primary and General elections.
• Most voters will simply show their driver's license, but many other types of ID will be accepted. For a list of acceptable photo IDs, see Voter ID.
• Voters without a photo ID can get a "No Fee ID Card" from the NCDMV. Voters can also get a free voter ID card from the county board of elections office. Contact the New Hanover County Board of Elections Office at (910) 798-7330 for more information. 
• For more information about Voter ID in North Carolina visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections Voter ID webpage.

The ballot received when you vote is determined based on the jurisdictional information that corresponds with your residential address. Only voters who live within the municipal boundaries for the City of Wilmington or Towns of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach or Wrightsville Beach will be assigned a ballot during the 2023 Municipal Elections. Ballot styles are posted below for preview.

• Town of Kure Beach - V0001
• Town of Carolina Beach- V0002
• City of Wilmington - V0003
• Town of Wrightsville Beach- V0004

Prior to voting in any election, it is important to confirm that you are a registered voter and that your voter registration contains all of your most recent information. Your voter registration record should accurately reflect your full name, address, and party affiliation in order to ensure a quick and efficient Election Day experience. Check the status of your voter registration.

If you would like to register to vote for the first time or update your registration profile, please print, complete and sign a voter registration application and return it to the New Hanover County Board of Elections office prior to the voter registration deadline - Friday, October 13, 2023. 

If you miss the voter registration deadline  but would like to register to vote prior to the municipal elections, you may do so by completing the Same-Day Registration process during the One-Stop Voting period. Same-Day Registration allows a person to register and vote at the same time at a One-Stop Site. You are not allowed to complete the Same-Day Registration process and vote on Election Day. One-Stop Voting runs from Thursday, October 19 through Saturday, November 4, 2023 (Specific dates, times, and location(s) coming soon.) 

More information on the Same-Day Registration process

There are three voting options in North Carolina in which a voter may choose to cast their ballot.

Absentee-By-Mail Voting

This method of voting requires registered voters to request a ballot through the new online Absentee Request Portal on the NC State Board of Elections website or complete the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Request Form (PDF), and submit the form to the New Hanover County Board of Elections Office. The deadline to request an absentee by-mail ballot is Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 5 pm. Once the request form has been processed, you will receive the ballot in the mail to complete and return prior to the Absentee Ballot Return Deadline (Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 5 pm if returned by hand to BOE office or Monday, November 13, 2023 if returned by mail with a postmark dated on/before November 7). A reason is not required to vote using this method and your ballot may be mailed anywhere in the world. Please click here for more information on the procedures for voting Absentee-By-Mail.

One-Stop Voting

Also known as "Early Voting", One-Stop Absentee Voting allows you to cast an in-person ballot during a 17-day period prior to Election Day. One-Stop Voting allows for the flexibility to choose when and where you vote - normally with shorter lines and a quicker voting experience than that on Election Day. In addition to voting, those who missed the registration deadline but would still like to cast a ballot may do so during the One-Stop Voting period using the Same-Day Registration process. Learn more about One-Stop Voting and find your closest One-Stop site.

Election Day Voting

The most traditional method of voting is doing so on Election Day. 29 of our 43 New Hanover County precincts will be open on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 for Election Day Voting. 14 of our 43 precincts will not open during the Municipal Elections as there are no voters in those precincts who would be eligible to vote in the Municipal Elections. This is the last chance that a person has to vote in the election. If you choose to vote on Election Day, you should present at the polling place that is specific to your voting precinct as noted on your voter registration record. Find out where you should vote on Election DayElection Day Voting Election Day Voting Election Day Voting Election Day Voting.

Provisional Voting is a fail-safe voting method that is available to any voter at One-Stop Voting and on Election Day when there is a question of that person's eligibility to vote. For more information about provisional voting in North Carolina please access the North Carolina State Board of Elections website.

It is important to know the differences of where you can cast a ballot during the election.

If you plan to vote during the One-Stop Voting period, you can present at any of the One-Stop sites around New Hanover County (One-Stop site information coming soon), no matter where in the county you are registered to vote.

If you plan to vote on Election Day, you must present to vote in the precinct in which you are registered. If you present at any precinct other than your own to vote, you will be directed to your correct polling place or be given the opportunity to vote a provisional ballot which may slow your Election Day experience. Find out where you should vote on Election Day.