Qualifications to Vote in Forsyth County

  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
    • If you are 17 years of age and will be 18 years of age by the date of the next general election, you may register to vote.
    • If you are at least 16 years of age, you may fill out a registration form to preregister.
  • Be a resident of Forsyth County for 30 days prior to the election.
  • Must not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction (including probation or parole). If a prospective voter has previously been convicted of a felony, his/her citizenship rights must be restored. For more information on voting rights for those in the North Carolina criminal justice system, click here.

To register to vote or update your current voter registration you must:

  • Complete a voter registration form.
  • Print and sign the form. Electronic signatures are NOT acceptable.
  • Sign the form (ink to paper). Electronic signatures are NOT acceptable.
  • Once finished, mail the form to our office:
    Forsyth County Board of Elections
    201 N Chestnut Street
    Winston Salem, NC 27101
  • The form may also be dropped off in person to the same address Monday-Friday from 8-5 p.m.

The deadline to register to vote in North Carolina is 25 days before the date of an election. The registration must be received or postmarked by the voter registration deadline in order to be considered timely. Persons who register at the DMV or other agencies will be considered registered as of the date the application is given to the agency.

If you are submitting a voter registration form for a new registration or a change of party affiliation, the county board of elections must receive the form with your original signature within 20 days of the voter registration deadline for an election.

College Student Voter Registration

College students in North Carolina may register to vote in their school’s county instead of their home county if they do not have a “clear intent to return” to their original address after graduation. Alternatively, they may maintain their registration in their home county and vote there with an absentee ballot.