Let’s get down to business, Raleigh — the general election is just around the corner (November 3, to be exact) + the last day to register online to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020.
We know, registering to vote (or just checking to make sure you’re registered) sounds like one more thing to add to your never-ending to-do list, so to help make the process a little easier, we’re teaming up with the Wake County Board of Elections to collaborate on a Voter Registration Bank. 🗳️
Today, September 23, from 8 a.m. to 5p.m, you can contact the elections office at 919-404-4040 to:
- Get help registering to vote
- Ask questions about voting
- Update your address
- Learn how to become an election worker
- Find out how voting will be different this year due to COVID-19
- Find out more about absentee voting (the last day to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, October 27)
- Find out more about absentee voting + absentee by mail
FAQs
Over the last few weeks, we’ve asked what questions you have about voting. Here are some questions that have been asked most frequently + the answers that were provided by the Wake County Elections office.
1. Clarity over where you can turn in mail-in ballots in person — polling place/early voting site/Board of Elections office?
Absentee ballots may be returned:
- By mail
- By commercial courier service (DHL, FedEx, or UPS)
- In person at your county board of elections office (1200 N. New Hope Road)
- In person at an open early voting site in your county
- If you’re delivering your ballot in person, the ballot must be hand delivered to the county board of elections office as dropboxes are not permitted under NC Law.
2. Can you still register to vote during early voting, or was that only for the primary election?
Yes, eligible individuals may register and vote during the early voting period. Same-day registration requirements can be found here. Additional early voting information, such as dates, times, and locations, can be found at WakeVotesEarly.com.
3. General plans for safety precautions at voting sites — What protective gear will poll workers have? What are the safety precautions we can expect if voting in person?
Our Election Officials will be issued a protective face mask, gloves, a face shield, and protective eyewear. We will also provide ample hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes/spray. At least one Election Official at each voting site will be responsible for sanitizing and disinfecting frequent contact points within the voting enclosure throughout the day. We will also have an Election Official at each voting location stationed at the entrance of the voting enclosure to provide direction on proper social distancing and to limit the number of voters inside of the voting enclosure.
4. What happens if someone shows up without a mask (especially if they don’t want to wear one and refuse one if offered)?
We will not deny any voter their right to vote because they choose to not wear a protective face mask. With that being said, we will offer a protective face mask to any voter who is not wearing one. Additionally, voters will have access to hand sanitizer + to reduce contact points, each voter will be issued their own pen to use and keep or dispose of after voting.
5. If I complete an absentee ballot but decide not to put it in the mail, can I take it to an early voting site and drop it off without having to wait in line? Or do I have to wait in line with all the other voters, and then just turn it in at the desk? I understand there will not be any outside dropboxes in Raleigh.
If you are returning an absentee ballot at an early voting site location you will be required to stand in line. Absentee ballots may also be returned by mail, by commercial courier service (DHL, FedEx, or UPS), or in person at your county board of elections office (1200 N. New Hope Road).
6. I’ve read the instructions on my absentee ballot about who can be my witness, but I just want to be 100% certain that it’s okay if I use my husband, who lives in the same house as me, as my witness.
To answer your specific question above, yes your witness can be an individual that lives in the same house as long as they are at least 18 years old. Your witness can be a near relative, which includes your husband.
Individuals prohibited from witnessing an absentee ballot include:
- A person younger than 18.
- A candidate for election, unless the candidate is the voter’s near relative.
If the voter is a patient or resident at a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or adult care home, the following individuals are also prohibited from assisting:
- An owner, manager, director, or employee of that facility.
- An individual who holds any elected federal, state, or local office, or works for a precinct political party or organization office.
- A campaign manager or treasurer for any candidate or political party.
7. I’ve heard in other states, a significant number of mail-in ballots are being thrown out because of signature discrepancies. If this happens in NC, will I be notified if my absentee is discarded, and what would be my options to cast a vote that would count?
County boards shall accept the voter’s signature on the container-return envelope if it appears to be made by the voter, meaning the signature on the envelope appears to be the name of the voter and not some other person. Without clear evidence to the contrary, the county board shall presume that the voter’s signature belongs to the voter, even if the signature is illegible. A voter may sign their signature or make their mark. The law does not require that the voter’s signature on the envelope be compared with the voter’s signature in their registration record. Verification of the voter’s identity is completed through the witness requirement. If there is a discrepancy regarding a voter’s signature, we will contact the voter directly for further information.
Voters will be able to see one of several statuses on the NC State Board of Elections website, including Requested, when an absentee request form is received by the County Board of Election, and Accepted, when the returned ballot is accepted by the county board of elections. Accepted generally means the county board of elections has received the ballot, the return envelope has no apparent issues, and the ballot will be counted. If the county board of elections subsequently finds an issue (the envelope is opened and there is no ballot inside, for example) then that status will change and the voter will be contacted.
Additional information
The last day for online voter registration in NC is Friday, October 9, 2020. To register by mail, the form must be postmarked by Friday, October 9, 2020.
ProTip: You can still register in-person at one-stop early voting sites October 15-31, however NC does not offer registration on Election Day.
You can register online to vote at the Wake County Board of Elections Office website + find voter registration paperwork throughout the county — including city halls, libraries, and chambers of commerce.
...and if you’re unsure who to vote for, or how to vote, check out our 2020 election guide + see which candidates your views align with. And don’t forget to call in to our Voter Registration Bank today with any additional questions — 828-250-4200.
