Hello Noda News readers! It’s almost that time: November 3 is right around the corner and we have work to do. We must take our responsibility as citizens seriously and VOTE!
During this unprecedented time, many of us are feeling eager about voting and want to make sure our voice is heard. Here are some voting tips and options to keep in mind, as things look quite a bit different this year than in Election Days past.
- Confirm your voter registration status and check your polling place if you’re planning to vote in person. You can do so online at ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-tools-and-forms
- Vote early, by mail or in person. (North Carolina’s in-person early voting begins on October 15. You can find early voting sites and schedules at ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-tools-and-forms)
- Remember the important dates and deadlines.
- October 9: Last day to register to vote before the early vote period. (Would-be voters can same-day register and vote in person during the early voting period.)
- October 27: Absentee ballot requests due. Any North Carolina registered voter can request a mail-in absentee ballot – no special circumstance or reason is needed. (While October 27 is the deadline, the State Board of Elections strongly encourages voters to request a ballot as soon as possible to avoid problems due to postal delays and to allow for time to correct any issues with your request.)
- You can now request an absentee ballot online (a new feature for this year’s election)
- After submitting your request, you can track the status of your absentee ballot from when it is mailed to when it is received by the county board of elections by visiting northcarolina.ballottrax.net/voter
- It’s recommended that you return your completed absentee ballot by mail more than 14 days before Nov. 3 to ensure on-time arrival. Remember, you can also drop off your completed absentee ballot in person at your county board of elections office by 5 p.m. on Election Day (for Mecklenburg County, the address is 741 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 202, Charlotte)
- November 3: Election Day!
4. If you’re voting by mail, make sure you read and follow all directions on the ballot to ensure your vote is counted.
- You will need a witness present while filling out your absentee ballot (but you can still practice social distancing and ask them to stand across the room or observe through a window). Friends and family members can serve as witnesses, as long as they’re 18 or older and are not running for office.
Election Day will be here before you know it, so make your plan to vote now. Be an informed voter and vote the whole ballot. To find out who’s on your ballot so you can do some research ahead of time, click here.
GO OUT THERE AND VOTE, NODA!