You have a right to canvass for political, religious, or other non-commercial purposes:
As a noncommercial canvasser, you are engaging in activity that is protected under the First Amendment. You are legally entitled to go door-to-door, speak with residents, and distribute literature. (If asked about legal authority for this, you can cite U.S. Supreme Court cases Martin v. City of Struthers and Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc. v. Village of Stratton).
You do not need a permit:
It is unconstitutional to require noncommercial canvassers to get a permit before going door to door. You are canvassing for a noncommercial cause, so you are not required to get a permit or notify law enforcement before going door-to-door. (You can cite Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc. v. Village of Stratton).
If you are told that there is no soliciting in the neighborhood or apartment complex you are in:
You can still knock on outside-facing doors and speak with individual residents who are willing to speak with you. If you are told that you cannot canvass door-to-door in a particular neighborhood or apartment complex because of a no-solicitation policy, please document where this occurred, who told you that you could not canvass, and any reasons they provided, and share that information with the ACLU of North Carolina through this form.