“If you have not yet returned your mail-in ballot, I would recommend that you hand deliver it to the County Board of Elections office or any of the Early Voting Sites in our county during the Early Voting Period. On Election Day, you may not drop off a mail-in ballot at a Polling Site, you must take it to the County Board of Elections office.” Kenneth Stutts, Rowan County Board of Elections

As North Carolina’s 2024 Primary Election nears its final day, it is important to remember the new deadline for submitting mail-in ballots. In this pivotal moment where every vote counts, understanding the timeline for your participation is vital.  With the increasing popularity of mail-in voting, understanding these deadlines ensures that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote and contribute to the democratic process.

New laws passed last year by the NC General Assembly have shortened the mail-in ballot deadline for every election. A mail-in ballot must be received by your County Board of Elections by 7:30 PM on Election Day for it to be counted. You also may return it to any open early voting site in your county during the early voting period. When you return a ballot in person, you will be required to complete a return log as part of the in-person return process.

The previous law, which allowed a mail-in ballot received up to three business days after the election to be counted if it was postmarked by election day, is no longer in force. 

If you have not yet returned your mail-in ballot, I would recommend that you hand deliver it to the County Board of Elections office or any of the Early Voting Sites in our county during the Early Voting Period. On Election Day, you may not drop off a mail-in ballot at a Polling Site, you must take it to the County Board of Elections office. 

As the primary election approaches, North Carolina residents must mark their calendars and make sure their mail-in ballots are submitted on time. By doing so, they actively participate in shaping the future of their state and nation, exercising their fundamental right to vote.

Kenneth Stutts

Rowan County Board of Elections