Voting Safely in 2020
Do you want a safe and convenient way to vote this fall? Consider voting by mail as it is an available option in NC. The State Board of Elections is projecting that around 40% of voters will likely want to vote using mail-in absentee ballots this year as we don't know what the future holds with COVID-19 and voting in person may not be wise for many of us. Usually, only 4% take advantage of absentee mail-in voting.
In North Carolina, you do not need an excuse to vote absentee. Absentee balloting is open to anyone who wants to vote by mail in our state. You merely need to go to the State Board of Elections website https://www.ncsbe.gov/index.html and print out an application to request a ballot be mailed to you. You can call your county Board of Elections and they will mail one to you too. Each voter needs to print out a blank application form, fill it out and send it back to the Board of Elections or return to the drop box in front of each county Board of Elections office. When the Fall election gets closer, you will receive the ballot in the mail. Currently, there are two requirements one needs to recognize when voting this way. When sending back the ballot remember: 1. You will need your ballot to have one witness signature assuring you are the person presenting the ballot. Witnesses cannot be candidates and must be 18 years of age. 2. The return envelope will require postage and one standard stamp should suffice. Always remember to carefully sign your ballot so it can be counted in the vote tally. Mail your ballot early so it has time to be received. Some ballots are not properly signed and the Board of Elections cannot process them without a proper signature and ballots must be postmarked by Election day and received by the Friday after Election Day. |
You can request an absentee ballot for this fall now. The county boards of elections staff suggest doing so early. Also, there will be other challenges this year for elections officials and voters.
There are never enough poll workers and workers at the polls are often in the category of "more at risk if they should get the coronavirus". In addition, poll locations for Early Voting and for precincts may be fewer due to problems with the virus and social distancing, etc,, thus creating longer lines. So many unknowns. So, consider voting by mail and ask for an absentee ballot now for voting this fall if that way of voting appeals to you. Absentee Ballot Request Form
https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Forms/NCAbsenteeBallotRequestForm.pdf Absentee Ballot FAQ https://www.lwvwake.org/s/Absentee-Ballot-FAQs-rev-June132020.pdf Click here for a voter checklist |
Vote 411 |
November ElectionsThese are important dates in the upcoming elections. Due to the changing nature of N.C. politics, these may be updated frequently..
Registration DrivesIf you are interested in having the league attend your event for a voter registration drive, send us an email.
Candidate ForumsStay tuned for updates.
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Register to Vote
N.C. State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement |
The State Board of Elections has all the forms you need to register to vote, but they must be mailed to your local board of elections. Click on the graphic to learn more. Download voter registration forms here.
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Rock the Vote |
Rock the Vote’s Online Voter Registration (OVR) platform provides a simple solution for modern voter registration. Since its inception, the platform has registered over seven million voters and has been a trusted resource for more than a decade.
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