Absentee Voting Begins In North Carolina

North Carolina voters can now request absentee ballots for the March 15 primary. More voters are expected to take advantage of the process this year.

In the 2012 general election, more than 200,000 North Carolinians voted by absentee ballot.  Jackie Hyland with the state board of elections says that number could much be higher this year because of changes to state's voting laws.

“We know in other states with voter ID laws, they have seen a 30 percent increase in absentee voting,” says Hyland. “Now also remember when it comes to absentee ballots, photo ID is not required to vote absentee.”

Anyone can vote by mail using an absentee ballot but you have to follow several steps. First, you complete a request form. Once you receive your ballot, you'll also have to make sure it's delivered to the appropriate county election's office by 5 p.m. on Election Day.

It's important to make sure it's postmarked on or before Election Day if you want your vote to count.

Hyland says the voter registration deadline is Feb. 19 for the March primary. It's also the deadline for voters to change party affiliation before the primary.

*Follow Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news