North Carolina gears up for municipal elections: Here’s what voters need to know

By Kristy Kepley-Steward, WLOS, Monday, November 6

WLOS – On Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters will once again head to the poll to cast ballots for municipalities races across the state of North Carolina.

Polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m., voters in line at 7:30 p.m. will be able to cast a ballot. Eligible voters can find their assigned polling locations and a sample ballot through the State Board’s Voter Search tool.

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when checking in at their polling place. Most voters will simply show their driver’s license, but there are many other acceptable photo IDs. For more information, including the full list of acceptable IDs, visit Voter ID. If a voter cannot show a photo ID, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form and voting a provisional ballot.

As required by state law, every N.C. voter will cast a hand-marked paper ballot or use a touch-screen ballot-marking device that produces a paper ballot for the voter to verify before casting. All voters will insert their ballot into a tabulator that has been tested before the election. To find which voting equipment is used in your county, read Voting Equipment.

North Carolina residents may not register to vote on Election Day, unless they became eligible after the regular voter registration deadline due to becoming a U.S. citizen or having their rights restored following a felony conviction.

Voters who need assistance at the polls must request that assistance. Curbside voting is available for voters who are unable to enter the voting place without assistance due to age or disability. Once inside the polling place, voters who experience difficulties should request help from an election worker. For more information, see Help for Voters with Disabilities.

If you present to vote and your name is not on the voter list, you may request a provisional ballot. About a week after the election, voters who cast a provisional ballot can check the status of their ballot with the Provisional Search tool. For more information, read Provisional Voting.

State and federal laws forbid intimidation or interference with voters, including hindering access to the voting place, whether inside or outside the buffer zone. The law also makes it a crime to interfere with election officials carrying out their duties. Penalties for violations include prison time, a fine, or both. The State Board takes these incidents very seriously. When they occur, we will work with our law enforcement partners on appropriate responses. Voters who are harassed or intimidated should notify an election official immediately.

Election results will be posted throughout election night at the State Board’s Election Results Dashboard.

Read the complete WLOS news story here.