As Election Day quickly approaches, it’s important to make a voting plan to ensure your vote is counted in November’s elections.
In the last general elections in 2020 over 70% of the 10,088 registered voters in Swain County voted. Voters in Swain County will receive the same ballot except a small number of voters in Qualla near Whittier who will have an added vote for the Whittier Sanitary District board members. See the sample ballot for Swain County and the sample ballot for Whittier polling place.
Voters have many options in how to submit their ballot. All forms of voting require the voter to be registered and have a photo ID. If you do not have access to a photo ID because it was destroyed in Hurricane Helene, you can fill out a photo ID exemption form. You can register to vote online or in-person at the Swain County Board of Elections office or at the Division of Motor Vehicles until Oct. 11.
Voters who cannot go to the polls during early voting or on Election Day can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them. Absentee ballots can be requested until 5 p.m. Oct. 29. For an absentee ballot to be counted, it must be delivered to the Swain County Board of Elections office by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5. To request an absentee ballot visit NCSBE.
For voters who cannot go to the polls on Election Day but still want to vote in a polling location can vote early. Voters can register the same day as early voting. Early votes will be cast on hand-marked paper ballots.
Early voting will be open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 21-25, 28-31 and Nov. 1. On weekends the polling places are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 2.
There are only two early voting locations in the county.
| Location | Address |
| Swain County Board of Elections | 1422 Hwy 19 South, Bryson City, NC 28713 |
| Birdtown Recreation Center Peaches Squirrel Sports & Recreation Complex | 1212 Birdtown Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 |
On Election day, Nov. 5 in will have five locations open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. All votes on Election Day will be cast on hand-marked paper ballots. Voters must vote in their precinct based on their address. Voters can find their precinct location on NCSBE.gov.
| Precinct Name | Polling Place Name | Address |
| Alarka | Alarka Fire Department/Community Center | 3601 Alarka Road, Bryson City, NC 28713 |
| Almond | Southwestern Community College – Swain Center | 60 Almond School Road, Bryson City, NC 28713 |
| BC1 | Bryson City Federal Building | 50 Main St., Bryson City, NC 28713 |
| BC 2 | Swain County Courthouse | 101 Mitchell St., Bryson City, NC 28713 |
| Whittier/Cherokee | Birdtown Recreation Center Peaches Squirrel Sports & Recreation Complex | 1212 Birdtown Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 |
