As of Wednesday October 2nd, all four parks are open with limited amenities.
Click HERE for important updates and resources for post-Helene recovery in our area.

Sample Ballots are now available. Search here.

Elections

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The Catawba County Board of Elections

is committed to efficiently conducting fair, honest, and impartial elections so that all qualified Catawba County citizens may exercise their right to vote.

The office conducts local elections, operates voting sites, maintains voter registration lists and handles numerous aspects of election administration. The Catawba County Board of Elections works in conjunction with the State Board of Elections office to ensure that elections are conducted lawfully and fairly.


Sample Ballots

Sample Ballots are available. To view your ballot:

  1. Search for your name using the State Board Voter Lookup tool.
  2. When you find your record in the results list, click on it to open your record.
  3. Scroll down the list to find Your Sample Ballot and click on the ballot style listed to view a PDF of your ballot.

November 2024 Absentee Ballots

Absentee Ballot Portal: Request Online - Printable Absentee Request [Spanish Version]

  • Ballots will be mailed out starting Friday, Sept 6. Tuesday, Sept 24
    Because of litigation in the courts, ballot availability was delayed.
  • Deadline to request a ballot: Tuesday, Oct 29 (must be registered to vote by Oct 11th)

Photo ID Notice - Voters will be asked to present a valid photo identification when voting in person.

You may use your unexpired NC Driver's License (or expired less than 1 year), DMV issued State ID or non-driver ID, US Passport, US Military or veterans ID card, or NC Voter Photo ID, etc. Any registered voter may obtain a free NC Voter Photo ID card at the Board of Elections Office up until the Friday before the election (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm). To satisfy the Photo ID law, the only information that poll workers will consider are the photo and the name on the ID presented.
Note: A voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable Photo ID if it expired AFTER their 65th birthday.


Voter Registration

Check Your Registration verify registration information. Is your Name/Address correct?

BOOKS CLOSE October 11, 2024: the deadline to register for the November 5th Presidential Election. Citizens not registered by this deadline will be unable to vote by mail or vote in-person on election day. An unregistered voter may register and vote at the same time ONLY during Early Voting. [Early Voting Schedule]


Register to Vote* for new voters and anyone moving to a different county the NC DMV website is the preferred way to register

Update Registration* use for changes to: name, address, mailing address, party affiliation [the NC DMV Portal is the preferred way to make changes]. The deadline to change your voter registration for the November 2024 election is October 11th.

*If you are not a NC DMV customer or do not wish to register online, print and sign a Voter Registration Form [Spanish Version]

State Board Link: Choosing your party affiliation.


2024 Elections

Offices up for Election

Nov Election Candidates (detailed list)

Note: Presidential candidates will be listed after conclusion of National Conventions (~Aug 22, 2024)

View your sample ballot via the State Board Voter Lookup tool

Campaign Finance Reports for Local Candidates

Campaign Finance Reports - Local candidate campaigns. Includes candidate filing forms (choose 2024)


EARLY VOTING

2024 Presidential Election - Tuesday, November 5th

Catawba County
Eligible Voters
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be a resident of Catawba County, NC as of October 6th (30 days before the election)
  • Must be age 18 or older on November 5th, 2024
  • Must not be serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole
Early Voting

5 Locations:

  • Begins: Thur, Oct 17
  • Ends: Sat, Nov 2, 3pm

Hours of Operation:

  • Thursday-Friday, Oct 17-18 | 8am-7:30pm
  • Saturday, Oct 19 | 8am-3pm
  • Sunday, Oct 20 | 1pm-5pm
  • Monday-Friday, Oct 21-25 | 8am-7:30pm
  • Saturday, Oct 26 | 8am-3pm
  • Sunday, Oct 27 | 1pm-5pm
  • Monday-Friday, Oct 28-Nov 1 | 8am-7:30pm
  • Saturday, Nov 2 | 8am-3pm

Printable Schedule

Election Day
  • Tuesday, Nov 5 | 6:30am-7:30pm

You are required to vote at your designated polling location based on your residence.


ABSENTEE BY MAIL

Absentee Ballot Portal - This portal is the preferred way to request your absentee ballots for upcoming elections.

Nov 5 Presidential Election: Voted Absentee-by-Mail ballots may be brought to the Board of Elections Office up until 7:30pm, Tuesday, Nov 5. Only the voter, or a voter's near relative may return a voted ballot in person. The ballot envelope must be signed by voter and two witnesses (or one notary) and must include a copy of a Photo ID (or a signed Photo ID Exception Form).

Returned voted ballots received by the office after 7:30pm on Election Day will not be timely and will not be counted.

Requests for the November 5th 2024 election are being accepted. [Online Request Portal] [Printable PDF] [Spanish Version]


ELECTION DAY

2024 Presidential Election - Nov 5th, 2024 Voting

On election day (Tuesday, Nov 5th) you are required by law to vote at YOUR designated polling location.

Search for your voting record if you are unsure of your designated precinct: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/

NOTES:

  • Voters must be registered by October 6th, 2024. Check your registration info here.
  • Photo ID is required.
    • Photo ID must be unexpired or expired less than 1 year
    • Older voters may use an expired photo ID if it expired AFTER they turned 65
    • Visit the State Board of Elections website for more information on photo ID
    • If the address on the Photo ID is not your current address, it may still be valid. Poll workers will be looking only at the photo and the name
  • Workers will be able to update your name, address (within the county), mailing address, and phone number. If you moved, you must vote at the precinct for the address you were living 30 days before the election (Oct 6, 2024)
  • Curbside Voting is available at all polling locations for voters unable to physically come inside "because of age or physical disability". All curbside voters are given an oath affirming their inability to vote inside
  • On Election Day, Nov 5th, law requires voters to cast their ballots ONLY at the polling location of the precinct in which they live [Precinct List with Map].

2025 Municipal Elections

2025 Offices up for Election

  • Candiate Filing for the 2025 municpal elections: 8am, July 7, 2025 - noon, July 18, 2025
  • Candidate Requirements
  • More information on becoming a candidate
  • Filing Fee (Cash or Check. Cards not accepted):
    • City of Hickory: $12.00
    • All others: $5.00

Interested in becoming a Poll Worker?

If you would like to join our team of precinct election officials and be considered for a position as a poll worker, complete an online application or send an email. More information.

Election Official - ApplicationorEmail: elections@CatawbaCountyNC.gov


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Uniformed and Overseas Citizens

UOCAVA Election Notice - November 2024

FVAP.gov | Voting assistance for Service members, their families and overseas citizens

  • Military and Overseas voters wishing to vote must submit a new application each calendar year
  • For more information, visit FVAP.gov or call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm EST