Teenagers who want to take care of voter registration early have about two more days to do so.
North Carolina has long allowed 16- and 17-year olds to pre-register. Teens fill out a voter registration application before their 18th birthdays. When the big day rolls around, they’re already registered.
That changed this year with new voter laws, which also require government-issued IDs, reduces early voting periods and stops same-day voter registration.
As of Tuesday, teens can no longer pre-register.
With the Board of Elections office closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday, teens who want to preregister can either go by in person Friday or mail in a registration form, so long as it’s postmarked by Saturday.
Local teens haven’t been rushing to preregister since this year’s voter laws changed, said Adam Ragan, director of elections for Gaston County.
And they weren’t beating down the doors before that.
At past high schools registration drives, an average of 10 to 15 students took advantage.
Highland School of Technology was the notable exception, Ragan said. Between 30 and 35 students registered in the last drive.
The change shouldn’t affect a large number of teenagers, since most who want to vote will turn 18 in time to register.
Two 18-year-olds voted in last year’s November elections on their birthdays.
“It sometimes happens but it’s rare,” Ragan said.
As of Thursday, the Board of Elections had 631 pre-registered teens who acted early to ensure the right to vote as soon as possible.
Teenagers: Want to register early?
You have two options
1. Go by the Gaston County Board of Elections office to fill out an application Friday.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 410 W. Franklin Blvd., Suite 50, Gastonia
Why go: This is your last chance for in-person preregistration to vote
2. Mail your voter registration application to the county Board of Elections.
Get the application: GastonCountyElections.com
When: Make sure the application is postmarked by Saturday
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1396,Gastonia, NC 28052
Why snail mail: You have a little more time this way, since elections offices are closed Monday, which is your last chance to make sure you’re on the voter rolls the day you turn 18. North Carolina does not allow online voter registration.
Why preregister?
Registration deadline:In North Carolina, voters have to register at least 25 days before an election.
If you turn 18 after Oct. 11:You won’t have time to become a registered voter before the next election, which is Nov. 5.