I hope that if you’re reading this you’ve made it to the polls already, but if not, that’s okay too. There’s still time! With November 3 officially less than two weeks away, it’s absolutely essential that everyone makes a plan to vote if they are able. If you are planning to vote early, keep in mind that October 31 is the last day you can do so in North Carolina. There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion out there, so here are some common questions (and answers!) about voting.
Q: If I want to vote early, where can I do that?
A: You can vote early at any early voting site inside of the county you are registered to vote in. Here is a tool where you can look up your early voting site. Keep in mind that your Election Day polling place is different than an early voting site. You are assigned a place to vote on Election Day, which you can look up using this search tool.
Q: If I’m uncomfortable going to the polls in-person, can I still vote by mail?
A: YES, but not for long. The last day to request your absentee ballot is October 27. You can do this digitally or on paper. Return your request form through the online portal or by sending it to your county Board of Elections office through email, regular mail, fax, or in-person. Once you receive your absentee ballot, fill it out and make sure to have a witness sign it. You have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 to return it to your county Board of Elections, either in-person or through the mail. You can also drop it off at any early voting site before early voting ends.
Q: I know who I want the President to be, but where do I find information about the other candidates on the ballot?
A: NC Voter, a nonpartisan voter engagement organization in North Carolina, has some amazing resources to look at for state and local elections. Here is a link to their ballot guides, which are free of political bias.
Q: I’m not registered to vote. Can I still do that?
A: The deadline for registering to vote by mail and online has passed, BUT you can still register on-site at early voting locations. If you’re not registered, make sure you vote early, otherwise, you will not be able to participate in the 2020 election. You must have a photo ID or document that shows your full name and address to vote on-site.
Q: Do I need to wear a mask to the polls?
A: Absolutely. Even if there are long lines outside of your polling place and you have to wait outside, make sure to wear a mask at all times to keep yourself and your community safe!
I hope this was helpful. Good luck, don’t lose hope, and vote vote vote!
– DJ Butter
Sources: ncvoter.org
