Your Vote Counts (especially this year!)
Early voting in Orange County is underway, and Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 7. If you haven’t voted yet, read on for answers to some questions you might have about participating in this year’s local elections!
It’s not a presidential election year. Why should I bother to vote?
Many of the most important decisions elected officials make, especially those that impact your life directly as a citizen of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, or elsewhere in Orange County, are made at the local level. This includes (but is not limited to) decisions about affordable housing. And our local elections are often decided by just a handful of votes – so your vote really does count!
I’ve never registered to vote before. If early voting has already started, does that mean it’s too late for me to register?
No! You can register to vote AND vote at the same time if you go during the early voting period. Learn what you need to do to register.
Where can I vote during early voting? How long does early voting last?
Early voting ends Saturday, November 4. You can vote at any of these locations during early voting.
I won’t be able to vote during early voting. Do I have to go to my assigned polling place to vote on Election Day? How do I find out where that is?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. If you vote on Election Day, you must go to your assigned polling place, and you must already be registered – same-day registration is NOT available on Election Day. You can look up your assigned polling place online.
What do I need to bring with me when I vote?
North Carolina has new laws about voter ID. Read the requirements for voter ID, and make sure you’re prepared when you go to vote.
This is all really helpful, but how do I decide who to vote for? What candidates does CHT endorse?
As a nonprofit, CHT is a nonpartisan organization and does not endorse candidates. We encourage you to learn more about the candidates before you vote, and these resources may help:
- Review your sample ballot to learn who is running
- Learn more about Chapel Hill and Carrboro Mayoral and Town Council candidates’ positions on affordable housing (also available in Spanish)
- Learn about all the candidates in Orange County and follow election coverage
- Get more nonpartisan voter information
