Any registered voter of Durham County may request an absentee ballot. Requests can only be made by completing an Absentee Ballot Request Form provided by the State Board of Elections.

A request may be returned by any of the methods noted below:

• Online: Absentee Ballot Portal

• In Person: 3825 S. Roxboro Street, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27713

• By Mail:
  ATTN: Absentee Ballots
  Durham County Board of Elections
  PO Box 868
  Durham, NC 27702

For more details on absentee voting in North Carolina, please click here. 

2026 Absentee Ballot Request Form - PDF

To request a Multipartisan Assistance Team (MAT) to assist covered facilities with the absentee balloting process, please click the link below!

Two Ways to Return Your Ballot:

1. Mail your ballot:

• You may return your ballot via US Mail or commercial courier service (UPS, FedEx, DHL). 
• An outer return envelope used to return the ballot by mail is included with your balloting materials. Place your ballot envelope in this envelope and be sure to apply the correct amount of postage. Refer to the instructions included with your balloting materials to determine the correct postage. The ballot must be received by the Durham County Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

2. Return your ballot in person:

• Return your ballot envelope to the Durham County Board of Elections office no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
• Return your ballot envelope to an Early Voting site in Durham County during the Early Voting period.

Absentee ballots must be mailed or returned in person by the voter, the voter's near relative, a verifiable legal guardian or anyone the voter chooses due to a disability. If someone other than the voter mails a ballot or returns it in person, they must complete the Voter Assistant Certification on the ballot envelope.

Absentee ballots cannot be accepted at any polling place on Election Day.

Military and overseas voters have expanded absentee voting options! Please click here for more details on the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

1. When will ballots be mailed prior to an election?
   
   

   In accordance with G.S. 163-227.10, absentee ballots will be made available as follows:

   • Statewide General Elections in even-numbered years: 60 days prior to the election
   • Other Non-Municipal Elections: 50 days prior to the election, unless 45 days is authorized by the State Board of Elections
   • Municipal Elections: 30 days prior to the election
     
     
2. Is ID required for absentee voting?
   
   Yes. All absentee voters are required to submit a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID or an ID Exception Form along with their absentee ballot. Click here for more information on photo ID for absentee voters.
   
   
3. Who is qualified to vote an absentee ballot?
   
   Any registered voter may vote an absentee ballot. No reason is required.
   
   
4. How can I receive an absentee ballot?
   
   In order to receive an absentee ballot, you must first complete an Absentee Ballot Request Form. This form is available in the Request an Absentee Ballot section of this page and via the Absentee Ballot Portal. The form must be completed and returned in person, through the Absentee Ballot Portal, or by mail. You will not receive an absentee ballot unless this required form is properly completed and signed by the voter or requester. Click here for more information. 
   
   
5. May I request an absentee ballot for someone else?
   
   If you are a voter's near relative, verifiable legal guardian or a person they request assistance from due to a disability, you may request an absentee ballot on that voter's behalf by completing the Absentee Ballot Request Form.
   
   
6. I have completed my Absentee Ballot Request Form. Is there a way to track when my ballot will arrive?
   
   To track your absentee ballot through BallotTrax, click here. You may also use BallotTrax to track the status of your ballot after it is received by the county board of elections.
    
7. How do I complete my absentee ballot after receiving it in the mail?
   
   Before completing your ballot, review the instructions included with your balloting materials. You must mark your ballot in the presence of 2 witnesses or 1 notary public, seal the ballot envelope, complete the information on the envelope with your witnesses or notary, and place a photocopy of your photo ID or a completed Photo ID Exception Form in the envelope's clear sleeve.
    
8. May I receive assistance from someone else with completing my absentee ballot?
   
   Review the instructions included with your balloting materials prior to receiving assistance. A voter's near relative or legal guardian, or a member of a multipartisan assistance team (MAT), may assist a voter with marking the ballot in accordance with the voter's instruction if the voter requests assistance from them. Voters who require assistance due to disability may request assistance from anyone. Voters must sign the ballot envelope even if they receive assistance, unless they are unable to sign due to disability. Assistants must complete and sign the Voter Assistant Certification on the ballot envelope.
   
   
9. How do I return my absentee ballot?
   
   You or your near relative, legal guardian or assistant due to disability may mail your ballot or return it in person. The county board of elections must receive your ballot by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Please refer to the instructions included with your balloting materials for more details, as well as the Returning an Absentee Ballot section of this page. If someone else returns your ballot in person or mails it on your behalf, they must sign the Voter Assistant Certification on the ballot envelope.
   
   
10. May I mail my voted absentee ballot together with another voter's absentee ballot in the same envelope?
    
    No. Each voter receives a ballot envelope and an outer return envelope used to enclose the ballot envelope when returning the ballot by mail. These envelopes are specific to each voter and should be returned only with that voter's completed ballot inside.
    
    
11. I am a visually impaired voter. Is there an easy way for me to request and vote with an absentee ballot?
    
    Visually impaired voters may check the box on the Absentee Ballot Request Form that indicates they require an accessible electronic ballot due to visual impairment. When their accessible ballot becomes available, they will be notified by email that they may complete their ballot in the Absentee Ballot Portal.
    
    
12. I live in a care facility. How do I request an absentee ballot and vote?
    
    If you live at a facility such as a hospital, clinic or nursing home, find out how to receive assistance with absentee voting and other services provided by a Multipartisan Assistance Team (MAT), by reviewing the information at this link: Assistance for Voters in Care Facilities.