GREENSBORO, N.C. — 2 Wants To Know is breaking down your absentee ballot packet. You might think, it's just a ballot, but it's a whole packet of stuff including your ballot, photo ID requirement instructions, ballot and envelope instructions.
There are two crucial reminders in this packet:
1- There is a specific envelope to hold your ballot and photo ID. You know you have the right envelope when you see one side with places for you and your two witnesses to sign it (or one notary) and a clear sleeve on the other side. This sleeve is where you put a copy of your photo ID or the exemption form. You put your ballot inside the envelope that no one can see through. Do not get these locations mixed up.
2-You must seal both envelopes. If the envelope with your ballot inside isn't sealed, workers may question whether it was tampered with. Put the inside sealed envelope in the bigger mailing envelope.
The system is designed to keep your vote safe.
"It's a security issue. It's a chain of custody. It's the staff that handles these ballots. We do get them back often where the ballot is loose in, in here or it's in here and it's not sealed and then there are issues when that ballot comes and the board of elections has to vet that and it may not be approved as easily or at all," said Charlie Collicutt, Guilford County Board of Elections Director.
Some folks think absentee voting is free. It can be. But if you're planning on mailing your ballot back in, it will cost you $1.77. You can drop it off for free at your county Board of Elections office or any early voting place. But you cannot turn in your ballot on election day at a polling place.