RALEIGH, N.C. — Early voting continues in North Carolina for the 2024 presidential election. The last day you can early vote is Saturday, Nov. 2. The State Board of Elections is working to ensure voters are prepared, addressing common concerns about photo ID requirements, ballot procedures, and other key topics. Here are 12 things the state board says voters should know:
- Expect lines: Lines are inevitable during presidential elections. Check wait times online, and bring water, snacks, or seating if needed. You can check wait times at early voting sites here.
- Photo ID required: Accepted IDs include driver’s licenses, passports, and others listed at BringItNC.gov.
- There are auxiliary bins for tabulator issues: If a tabulator malfunctions at a voting site, ballots can be placed in a secure auxiliary bin attached to the scanner. Once the issue is resolved, a bipartisan team will insert the ballots into the tabulator to ensure every vote is counted. Election officials will also verify that the number of ballots matches the number of voters who checked in, guaranteeing accuracy in the count.
- In NC, poll workers often have to write on ballots: This is done for various reasons as required by law and does not invalidate your vote.
- Your ballot will count, even if you skip races: You do not have to make a selection in every contest on the ballot. If you skip contests, your votes will count in all other races on your ballot.
- All voting methods count: Absentee, early, or Election Day ballots are all valid and will be counted.
- Ballot photos are illegal: Photos of ballots are prohibited by state law, but voters can take selfies with their "I Voted" sticker outside.
- Spouses can vote together: State law allows spouses to vote together in the same voting booth. Poll workers should not encourage this practice; it should be up to both voters to decide.
- Inactive voters are still registered voters: If a person with an "inactive" registration status shows up, they will confirm their address with a poll worker, or update their address within that county, if necessary. They will need to show photo ID as required by law.
- Curbside voting isn't for voters who don't want to wait in line: Voting from your car is only available to those who are unable to enter a facility due to age or disability.
- Poll worker duties: They ensure a secure process but cannot discuss candidates or issues with voters.
- Campaigning regulations: Campaigners must remain outside the buffer zone at a voting site, and aggressive behavior should be reported.
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