Macon County: What you need to know on how and where to vote.

Elections are starting soon, and for many residents in Macon County, this may be their first time voting. In 2022 local elections only 8,651 people voted in the county, but the local Board of Election predicts close to 20,000 people to vote this year. In the 2020 elections around 77% of the 27,162 registered voters voted in Macon County.

For those who are voting in an election for the first time or just need a refresher on the process, this is how you can vote in Macon County this year.

The first and most important step is to make sure you are registered to vote. In order to vote in the 2024 election, you must be registered by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11. If you are unsure if you are currently registered, you can check your status at ncsbe.gov. Simply enter your name and year of birth. The website will show where you are registered to vote and if your status is active. If you have multiple results, make sure you are active in the location you intend to vote.

For those who are not registered to vote, you can register online, at your local DMV or by mail. You are required to provide identification and fill out a voter registration application. Ncsbe.gov provides resources for applying online or through mail. 

Once you have confirmed you are registered, you can start planning when you will vote. You have three options in Macon County. You can request an absentee ballot at ncsbe.gov, vote early between Oct. 17 and Nov. 2 or vote on Election Day Nov. 5.

North Carolina requires an ID for voting in person. However, if your home was destroyed and you don’t have any photo ID you can still vote by filling out a photo ID exemption form.

In Macon County, you have two options for early voting. The Macon County Carpenter Community Building and the Highlands Civic Center. These locations will be open Monday-Friday 8 am-7:30 pm, and Saturday 8 am-3 pm.

If you vote on Election Day Nov. 5, you will be required to vote at your assigned polling location. Voting begins at 8 a.m. and the cutoff is 7:30 p.m. Macon County has 15 locations. Macon county uses paper ballots for both early voting and election day. Your assigned location will be determined by what address you are registered under. This is a list of the 15 polling locations in Macon County.