Imani Tailley, News Writer

Election Day is on Nov. 5, 2024, and with it many major choices will be made. These decisions will impact you, the people you know, and the world around us for years. There are many ways to make sure your opinions and feelings are heard this election season; one of those ways is through early voting. 46 states in the United States offer early voting options, and North Carolina is one of them.  Voting early is a convenient way to get out to the polls and cast your vote in the coming election. 

In Guilford County, where Greensboro is located, early voting happens from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2. There are places across the county to vote, including the Kaplan Center on Gate Cite Blvd. The times for early voting vary depending on the day. Most days early voting happens from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early voting ends at 3 p.m. on Nov. 2. After that point, you will have to vote at the designated place listed on your voter registration card on Election Day (Nov. 5). 

If you are looking to vote, there are some things you will need to bring with you. In North Carolina, you are required to bring a photo ID. For most voters, a North Carolina driver’s license will be the most convenient option. If you don’t have a driver’s license, you can also use your Spartan card or another form of photo ID to vote. A list of acceptable forms of ID is available online. If you don’t have any of these, don’t worry; you can still vote, but you will need to fill out a Photo ID Exception Form.  

There are some great benefits to early voting. On average, wait times are shorter. It also allows more flexibility for when you can vote with so many days available to go. If you are planning to vote early, make it enjoyable by taking a group of friends. In our case, UNC Greensboro students can walk to the Kaplan Center together. This could also be an opportunity to meet new students. Lines generally move quickly during early voting, but you should still give yourself plenty of time to mark your ballot accurately. As noted above, make sure you have your driver’s license, Spartan card, or another form of photo ID. 

Before you hit the polls, make sure you know who you want to vote for. Research candidates and get to know their values and beliefs as politicians. Vote for who you feel represents your values and beliefs. The Guilford County Website has a sample of who will be on the ballot for the area. This is a helpful option for finding candidates’ names and researching them on your own. And remember, you can take notes with you into the ballot box! 

It is also important to make sure you are registered to vote. Here in North Carolina, voter registration is done online. The voter registration deadline for North Carolina was Oct. 11 for the upcoming election, but during Early Voting, you can register and vote on the same day. This is a great way to get your vote in for this election. This option is only available during the early voting period, so if you want to take advantage of this opportunity, you must do it between the early voting days. Registering now will also ensure that you can participate in future elections. 

Early voting is an excellent option for getting to the polls. Make it into an outing with friends to encourage them to vote as well. Do your research and take the time to learn about the candidates in the area. It also allows you time to go when it is convenient for you due to the long hours when they are open. If you are planning to vote in this election, consider early voting instead of waiting until election day. Encourage others to vote as well even if they don’t do early voting. Ensure your beliefs are represented and have a great time at the polls! 

Sources and additional information: 

https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/board-of-elections/early-voting

https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/voter-registration-deadlines

https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/board-of-elections/photo-id-information

https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/10926/638574130429270000

https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-early-person

https://ballotpedia.org/Arguments_for_and_against_early_voting