Voting begins today, September 4th. The election is underway and starting today the first ballots are being mailed to those who have already submitted their ballot requests.
Here is your voting guide:
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Requirements to Register:
- Be a US Citizen.
- Live in the county where you wish to register to vote for at least 30 days.
- Be 18 years old by Election Day, November 3rd, 2020.
- Not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction, including probation, parole or post-release supervision. Once all sentence conditions are served you may vote again.
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How to Register:
You may register by any of the following ways anytime between now and October 9th:
- Stopping by your Board of Elections Office and registering in person.
- Using N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) services:
- Selecting the option to register to vote while applying for a vehicle license or ID.
- Submitting the voter registration application online through the DMV.
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Same Day Registration:
During Early Voting between Oct. 15 - Oct. 31* individuals who are not registered but are otherwise qualified to vote in a county may register in person at any of their counties' Early Voting sites during the voting period. After registering, the newly registered voter can immediately vote at the same site on the same day.
Voters must offer proof of their residence by showing any of the following documents with their name and address:
- NC Driver's License
- Other photo identification issued by a government agency. Any government-issued photo ID is acceptable, provided that the card includes the voter's name and address.
- A copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing the voter's name and address.
- A college/university photo ID card paired with proof of campus habitation.
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You may vote by absentee ballot any time from now until Election Day, November 3rd. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 PM on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Absentee ballots have to either be received or postmarked by Election Day to be counted.
Here are the steps to vote absentee:
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District 119's Boards of Elections:
Haywood: 63 Elmwood Way - Suite A,
Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: 828-452-6633 - 828-452-6750 (fax)
Jackson: 401 Grindstaff Cove Road,
Sylva, NC 28779
Phone: 828-586-7538 - 828-586-1951 (fax)
Swain: PO Box 133
Bryson City, NC 28713
Phone: 828-488-6177 - 828-488-6463 (fax)
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In 2020, the in-person Early Voting period begins Thursday, October 15, and ends Saturday, October 31, including two Sunday opportunities. During Early Voting, you may cast a ballot at any Early Voting site in your county. If you are not registered or you need to modify your registration you can do it at that time. This is often referred to as "one stop" voting because you can register and vote at the same time during this period. It is different from Election Day when only previously registered voters can vote, and must vote at their previously assigned precinct.
Select the image below to check the Early Voting Calendar:
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Haywood Early Voting Sites:
Clyde Municipal Building - 8437 Carolina Blvd, Clyde, NC 28721
Phone: 828-452-6633
Haywood Senior Center - 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: 828-356-2800
Haywood County Public Library - 11 Pennsylvania Ave, Canton, NC 28716
Phone: 828-648-2924
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Jackson Early Voting Sites:
Cashiers Recreation Center - 355 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC 28717
Phone: 828-621-2020
Cullowhee Recreation Center - 88 Cullowhee Mountain Rd, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Phone: 828-293-3053
Jackson County Board of Elections - 876 Skyland Dr #1, Sylva, NC 28779
Phone: 828-586-7538
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Swain Early Voting Sites:
Birdtown Recreation Center: 1212 Birdtown Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719
Swain County Board of Elections: 1422 Hwy 19 S, Bryson City, NC 28713
Phone: 828-488-6177
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Election Day: Tuesday, November 3rd |
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Know Your Polling Place:
To find your polling place, use the link here. Once you've found your polling place, all you have left to do is be sure you're registered and to vote.
Polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Any voter in line at 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote. The busiest times tend to be early in the morning and just before the polls close. Avoid longer lines by voting at off-peak times or plan ahead and vote absentee or during the Early Voting period.
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Polling Places Will Be Safe |
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Significant precautions will be made to protect voters and election workers against the transmission of COVID-19. These include:
- Enforcing social distancing at polling places and Early Voting sites
- Providing hand sanitizer and masks for voters and election workers who do not bring their own.
- Providing gloves and face shields for election workers.
- Erecting barriers between election workers and voters at check-in tables.
- Providing single-use pens in counties that use hand-marked paper ballots and Q-tips for voters who use ballot-marking devices.
- Frequently cleaning surfaces and equipment in polling places and Early Voting sites.
- Recruiting poll workers who are less vulnerable to the virus.
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Voting is our highest civic honor and duty.
Make yourself a plan to vote. And help your friends and family.
Don't leave anyone behind. We're all in this together.
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Until we speak again, stay safe. If you or a loved one is concerned about your health, the numbers for each of District 119's Health Departments are listed below:
Haywood - (828) 452-6620
Jackson - (828) 586-8994
Swain - (828) 488-3198
Sincerely,
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Please share this with your friends!
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P.S. check out our legislative web page at www.joesamqueennc.com. You can find all of my previous newsletters and more!
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