Information about voting from the newsletter of the Buncombe County Democratic Party:
What’s happening in NC?
Many have expressed concerns about the ability to conduct an election “as usual” this fall. Voters are concerned about their personal safety. Those worries are shared by the temporary, mostly older employees, who staff Early Voting and Election Day at the precincts.The current COVID-19 situation makes the topic more urgent, but because of the complexity of the law and the short time frame, the Board of Election Services will not be able to automatically send ballots to every voter. There will be efforts by the North Carolina Democratic Party to get absentee ballot requests distributed.
What are we doing?
BCDP will provide regular communications about voting-by-mail to ensure that the process is clear to voters. We will collaborate with the Buncombe Board of Election Services to make certain that proper guidelines are followed, and in-person voters and volunteers are healthy and safe.What is the current process?
-There is no barrier to vote by mail in NC. You do not need a reason to request an absentee ballot.
-You can request a ballot now, but note that ballots will be sent out only after September 4, 2020. (You will NOT receive a confirmation that your request has been received.)
-The last day to request an absentee ballot is October 27, 2020.
-You may request an absentee ballot and later decide to vote in person.
-The completed ballot must be witnessed by two people or a notary.Are there possible changes?
NC Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell asked lawmakers to consider 15 changes to the state’s elections during the House Select Committee on COVID-19 Continuity of State meeting, explaining that she is planning for a pandemic-infested election. One of those changes is to make election day a state holiday. The discussions in Raleigh will be tracked and the final process will be communicated as soon as it is available. Read about the possible changes here.How do I request an absentee ballot?
bit.ly/BuncombeAbsenteeBallot
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