Prefaces this act with a series of whereas clauses declaring the rationale for and policy reasons supporting restoring programs for high school voter preregistration.

Amends GS 115C-47, stating the powers and duties of local boards of education in addition to those designated in GS 115C-36, to encourage local boards to promote student voter preregistration as well as student voter registration. Amends GS 115C-81(g1)(1)b to direct that the State Board of Education (SBE), in its modification of the social studies curriculum to instruct students on participation in the democratic process, should include instruction on voter registration and preregistration (was, voter registration).

Amends GS 163-82.1, adding a new subsection (e), which provides that a person who is at least 16 years of age but will not be 18 years of age by the date of the next election, but is otherwise qualified to register to vote, may preregister to vote. Provides that the preregistered person will automatically be registered to vote upon reaching the age of eligibility to vote, following the verification of the person's qualifications and address.

Makes conforming changes to the following statutes to expand their provisions which cover application for voter registration to also apply to voter preregistration: GS 163-82.3(a), application form developed by the State Board of Elections;GS 163-82.4(d), citizenship and age questions; GS 163-82.19(a), voter registration at a driver's license office; GS 163-82.20, voter registration at other public agencies; and GS 163-82.23, voter registration at public high schools.

Effective January 1, 2016.