Frequently Asked Questions

Voter Registration

How do I register to vote or update my registration information?

Click here to complete a voter registration application. Print and sign the form, then mail it to the Board of Elections office. Registered voters may use the form to update their name, address and party. Registered voters may also update their registration information by completing the back of their voter card and mailing it to the Board of Elections office. ​ Completed registration forms can be submitted in the following ways: E-mail: elections@claync.org Mail: Clay County Board of Elections 54 Church St Hayesville NC 28904



When is the deadline to register to vote in an election?

If mailed, the registration form must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election. If hand-delivered, faxed, or e-mailed, the registration form must be received at the Board of Elections office by 5:00 p.m. at least 25 days prior to the election.



How do I request the cancellation of a deceased voter's registration?

The Board of Elections removes voters listed on an official list of deceased persons sent by the state each month. In addition, a near relative may submit a written request to remove the voter registration of a deceased voter or by using the Notice of Deceased Voter form.



What are the eligibility requirements for registering to vote in Clay County?

1. You must be a United States citizen. 2. You must be a resident of Clay County, North Carolina, for 30 days before the election in which you intend to vote. 3. You must be 18 by Election Day 4. You must not vote in any other county or state election after submitting a voter registration application in Clay County. If registered elsewhere, you understand that you are cancelling that registration upon becoming registered to vote in Clay County. 5. You have not been convicted of a felony, or if convicted of a felony, you have completed your sentence, including any probation or parole. (Citizenship and voting rights are automatically restored upon completion of the sentence, but you must re-register. No special document is needed.)



How do I know if my voter registration is up to date?

Use the Voter Search tool to confirm the status of your voter registration, find your voting location, and view a sample ballot for the upcoming election. Online voter information is generally updated weekly, but may take up to a few weeks near election time. You may also call the Clay County Board of Elections office at 828-389-6812 ​ In addition, the Board of Elections will send you a new voter registration card in the mail when you... - register to vote - change your address - change your party affiliation - are assigned to a new precinct - are assigned to a new polling place. Your voting location (polling place) is printed on the card. You are assigned a polling place based on the precinct where you live. If you do not know where to vote, or if you have moved from the residence address we have on file, don't wait until Election Day! You may experience a delay in voting if your residence address is not up to date or if we have sent mail to your voter registration address that was returned to us by the Postal Service.



Voting Process

Do I need to bring my voter card to the polling place when I vote?

No, you do not need your voter registration card to vote



When are the polls open?

On Election Day, the polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. For more details on Early Voting or other voting methods, see our Current Election Information page.



May I vote absentee on Election Day?

No. You must vote in your precinct on Election Day.



Who may vote at an early voting site?

Any eligible Clay County voter may vote at any Clay County early voting site. All ballot styles are available at every early voting site, so you will receive the same ballot you would receive if you went to your assigned polling place on Election Day.



May I change my party affiliation at an early voting site?

No. Registered voters must submit changes to party affiliation by the registration deadline (25 days before Election Day). Name or address changes can be processed at early voting sites.



Absentee Voting

I am registered unaffiliated. May I vote in a primary election?

Party affiliation determines the primary in which a voter is eligible to vote. If you do not declare a party, you will be registered as Unaffiliated. If you are an Unaffiliated voter, you may choose to vote in the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian or nonpartisan (Judicial) Primary. You may choose only one party's primary. Participating in one of the partisan primaries will not affect your unaffiliated status.



Can any registered Clay County Voter vote Absentee by Mail?

Any registered voter in Clay County may request an absentee ballot or may vote at an early voting site. No excuse is needed.



How do I request an absentee ballot?

All requests for absentee ballots MUST be made in writing using the approved form. See our Absentee by Mail page to learn more and view the form.



How do I turn in my completed absentee ballot request form?

Mail or hand deliver to: Clay County Board of Elections 54 Church Street Hayesville, NC 28904



May someone request an absentee ballot for me?

A voter’s near relative may request an absentee ballot for the voter. In lieu of the voter’s signature, the request must include the requester’s signature, address, daytime phone number, and relationship to the voter.



May I request an absentee ballot by phone or email?

Your request must be in writing on the approved form, signed by the voter or the voter's near relative. Click the Absentee button above to download the form. A completed, signed form can be faxed to 828-389-3767 or emailed as an attachment to elections@claync.org.



Do I have to request an absentee ballot for each election?

Yes; however, if you are requesting an absentee ballot for a primary, you may simultaneously request that a General Election absentee ballot be sent to you, as well. The absentee ballots will be mailed separately at the appropriate time. ​ On the ballot return envelope, you will have the opportunity to request a ballot for the 2nd Primary if you are eligible.



When is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before an election.



When is the deadline for returning an absentee ballot?

The absentee ballot must be received by the Board of Elections office no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the statewide primary or general election or county bond elections. Absentee by mail ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Board of Elections office by the Friday after the election will be accepted as timely.



What may a person in possession of a Power of Attorney do for an absentee voter?

A person in possession of a Power of Attorney for an individual is not permitted to apply for voter registration, to vote in person, or to vote by absentee ballot for the individual.



May another person return my absentee ballot for me?

Yes, if that person is your spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, stepchild, or legal guardian, they may return it to the Clay County Board of Elections Office.



May two people return their ballots in the same envelope?

No. The returned ballot envelope is specific to each voter and must contain that voter’s ballot.



May I hand-deliver my voted absentee ballot to the Board of Elections office?

Yes. Your voted absentee ballot must be in the Clay County Board of Elections Office by 5 p.m. on Election Day.



May I hand-deliver my voted absentee ballot to the polls on Election Day?

No. The deadline to return your voted absentee ballot is at 5 p.m. on Election Day.



May I mail my ballot to the Clay County Board of Elections on Election Day?

Yes. Please make sure you take it to the post office and have them post mark it in front of you.



When will my absentee ballot be counted?

The mail-in absentee ballots are counted at 2 p.m. on Election Day, but the results are not posted until 7:30 p.m., after the closing of the polls on Election Day.



Where can I learn more about absentee voting for military and overseas voters?

Visit voting information for military and overseas voters at these websites: State Board of Elections Federal Voting Assistance Program.



I heard that if I vote absentee by mail or at an early voting site, then my vote may not get counted. Is that true?

NO. Your vote will be counted on Election Day along with the ballots cast in the precinct.