Early voting starts in North Carolina on Thursday. One-stop voting will be open until October 31.

President Donald Trump and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris are both planning visits to the state for the first day of early voting. 

The presidential candidates are in a close race for North Carolina, and the state has turned into a battleground that could help swing the election for either side.

Almost half a million of North Carolina’s 7.2 million registered voters have already cast their ballot by absentee.

More than 1.3 million people have requested absentee ballots, sometimes called mail-in ballots, because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Voters can drop off their absentee ballots at early voting sites instead of mailing them in.

Millions more could vote during the coming weeks. Election Day is November 3.

The early voting sites, as in years past, will allow eligible voters to register and vote on the same day.

Voters who are already registered will not need to show ID to cast their ballot. But you should bring a mask.

Polling sites this year are being outfitted with coronavirus protections like barriers between poll workers and voters at the sign-in area and social distancing guides.

Coronavirus protections

Early voting sites, and Election Day precincts, will have a number of COVID-19 protections in place, according to the state Board of Elections:

  • Social distancing
  • Masks “are strongly encouraged” and free face masks will be available
  • Gloves and face shields for election workers
  • Frequent cleaning of surfaces and equipment
  • Barriers at check-in tables between election workers and voters
  • Single-use pens for counties with hand-marked ballots
  • Cotton swabs for counties with ballot-marking devices

Curbside voting

Early voting sites will have curbside voting available for eligible people who need extra assistance. Voters who can’t get into a polling place because of age or disability can vote curbside.

This year, anyone with a medical condition that means they are at increased risk for the coronavirus, cannot wear a mask because of a medical condition, or anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can vote curbside.

Same-day registration

One-stop early voting allows people who are not registered to vote to register and cast their ballot on the same day.

If you want to register and vote on the same day, you need to attest to being eligible to vote by filling out a voter registration application and have proof of residence.

To register to vote, you will need one of the following:

  • North Carolina driver’s license
  • Any government-issued photo ID that includes your name and address
  • A current photo ID from a college or university along with proof that you live on campus
  • A copy of a recent bank statement, utility bill, paycheck, government check or other government document with your name and address

The county board of elections will verify your eligibility to vote within two days after casting your ballot at a one-stop site. Your ballot will not be counted until after the board verifies your information.