Voting in the 2024 elections

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The 2024 elections are fast approaching. Below, find information about voting in the Southern Appalachian states, including each state's voting requirements, registration deadlines, voting schedules, and more.

We have also compiled links for information on voting in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.

As Larry Sabato, a renowned American political scientist, said: "Every election is determined by the people who show up." 

 

JUMP TO YOUR STATE

Special Info for Areas Affected by Hurricane Helene

Due to devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, many communities in our area are having to make alternate plans to ensure voters have a polling place for the 2024 elections. Polling place locations and hours may have changed. If you or someone you know lives in one of these regions, follow the links to find out how and where to vote.

State-by-State General Voting Info

GEORGIA

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

*Hurricane Helene Updates: Emergency Polling Place Changes in Atkinson and Columbia Counties

 

DATES

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

  • Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
  • You may also return your absentee ballot to a secure drop box location by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Find your location by contacting your county registrar.
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Georgia urges voters to mail their ballots back at least a week before Election Day.

KENTUCKY

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

 

DATES 

  • Oct. 7: Deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration
  • Oct. 22: Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot (information on mail-in/absentee ballot)
  • Oct 31: Early in-person voting begins (information on early voting locations)
  • Oct. 23 through Oct. 30: In-person excused absentee voting
  • Oct. 31 through Nov. 2: Early in-person no-excuse absentee voting
  • Nov. 2: Last day of early voting
  • Nov. 5: Election Day! Head to the polls from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for in-person voting. All mail-in/absentee ballots must be returned by 6 p.m. Find your polling place

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

  • Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 6 p.m. on Election Day.
  • You may also return your absentee ballot to a secure drop-off location by 6 p.m. on Election Day. Find the location in your county
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be received by 6 p.m. on Election Day. Kentucky suggests that voters mail their ballots back as soon as they complete them.
  • For in-person excused absentee voters, your available voting dates are Oct. 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, and 30.
  • For in-person no-excuse absentee voters, your available voting dates are Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

NORTH CAROLINA

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

*Hurricane Helene Updates: Emergency Polling Place Changes in Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties

 

DATES 

  • Oct. 11: Deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration
  • Oct 17: Early in-person voting begins (information on early voting locations)
  • Oct. 17 through Nov. 2: Early in-person voting plus same-day voter registration
  • Oct. 29: Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. (information on mail-in/absentee ballot)
  • Nov. 2: Last day of early voting
  • Nov. 5: Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for in-person voting. All mail-in/absentee ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

  • Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
  • You may also return your absentee ballot to a secure drop box location by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Find your location
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. North Carolina law previously provided a grace period if your ballot was postmarked on or before Election Day and received within three days after the election. That is no longer applicable.

OHIO

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

 

DATES 

  • Oct. 7: Deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration
  • Oct 8: Early in-person voting begins (information on early voting locations)
  • Oct. 8: Absentee Voting by Mail begins (information on mail-in/absentee ballot)
  • Oct. 8 through Nov. 3: Early in-person voting
  • Oct. 29: Request absentee ballot applications by 8:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 3: Last day of early voting
  • Nov. 4: Mail-in/absentee ballots postmarked and mailed
  • Nov. 5: Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for in-person voting. All mail-in/absentee ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

  • Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by Nov. 4 and received no later than four days after the close of the polls. 

SOUTH CAROLINA

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

 

DATES 

  • Oct. 14: Deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration
  • Oct. 21: Early in-person voting begins (information on early voting locations)
  • Oct. 21 through Nov. 2: Early in-person voting
  • Oct. 25: Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. (information on mail-in/absentee ballot)
  • Nov. 2: Last day of early in-person voting
  • Nov. 5: Election Day! Head to the polls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for in-person voting.  All mail-in/absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. Find your polling place

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

  • Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
  • You may also return your absentee ballot to a secure drop box location by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Find your location
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be received before 7 p.m. on Election Day. South Carolina urges that ballots should be returned by mail no later than one week before election day to help ensure timely delivery.

TENNESSEE

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

*Hurricane Helene Updates: Emergency Polling Place Changes in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington Counties

 

DATES 

  • Oct. 7: Deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration
  • Oct. 16: Early in-person voting begins (information on early voting locations)
  • Oct. 16 through Oct. 31: Early in-person voting
  • Oct. 29: Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot (information on mail-in/absentee ballot)
  • Oct. 31: Last day of early in-person voting
  • Nov. 5: Election Day! Head to the polls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for in-person voting. All mail-in/absentee ballots must be returned by close of polls. Find your polling place

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

  • All absentee ballots in Tennessee must be returned by mail and have to be received before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

VIRGINIA

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

DATES:

  • Sept. 20: Early in-person voting begins (information on early voting locations)
  • Oct. 15: Deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration
  • Oct. 25: Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot
  • Oct. 26 through Nov. 2: Saturday early in-person voting, including same-day voter registration at the office of your general registrar or satellite location
  • Nov. 2: Last day of early voting
  • Nov. 5: Election Day! Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for in-person voting, including same-day voter registration at your polling place. All mail-in/absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. Find your polling place

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

  • Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
  • You may also return your absentee ballot to a drop-off location (see details in your absentee ballot mailing)
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your general registrar's office by noon on the third day following the election

WEST VIRGINIA

VOTING REQUIREMENTS: An acceptable form of ID. Check this list for ID requirements

 

DATES 

 

ABSENTEE BALLOTS:

  • Complete and return your ballot to your local general registrar's office by Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. No one person may deliver more than two voters' absentee ballots.
  • If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than 5 days after Nov. 5 and mailed ballots with no postmark will be counted if received by 1 day after Nov. 5.

 

Region-Wide Schedule

  • September 20 – Early in-person voting begins in VA
  • October 7 – Deadline to register to vote in GA, KY, OH & TN
  • October 8 – Early in-person voting and absentee voting by mail begins in OH
  • October 11 – Deadline to register to vote in NC
  • October 14 – Deadline to register to vote in SC
  • October 15 – Early in-person voting begins in GA
  • October 16 – Early in-person voting begins in TN
  • October 17 – Early in-person voting begins in NC
  • October 21 – Early in-person voting begins in SC
  • October 22 – Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot in KY
  • October 23 –  Start of in-person excused absentee voting in KY
  • October 25 – Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot in VA, GA & SC
  • October 26 – Start of Saturday early in-person voting in VA
  • October 29 – Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot NC & TN
  • October 29 – Deadline to request absentee ballot application in OH
  • October 30 – Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot in WV
  • October 30 – End of in-person excused absentee voting in KY
  • October 31 – Start of early in-person no-excuse absentee voting in KY
  • October 31 – Last day of early in-person voting in TN
  • November 1 – Last day of early voting in GA
  • November 2 – Last day of early voting in VA, KY, NC, SC & WV
  • November 2 – Last day of early voting in OH
  • November 4 – Mail-in/absentee ballots postmarked and mailed in OH
  • November 4 – Return absentee ballot in-person in WV
  • November 5 – Election Day!!