With Election Day on the horizon, Beaufort County voters might want to brush up on election-related procedures and dates.

Although North Carolina voters will be required to show identification to vote in 2016 and subsequent years, some voting matters remain before courts. One such matter is same-day registration and voting this election cycle. The photo ID requirement is not in effect for the 2015 municipal elections. The photo ID requirement is the subject of ongoing litigation in state and federal courts

Eligible people may register and vote during the one-stop early voting period, which begins Oct. 22.  This “same-day registration” process is currently permitted because of a preliminary injunction granted under a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, but this option remains the subject of ongoing litigation in federal court. Check the State Board of Elections website — www.ncsbe.gov — for any changes regarding this matter.

Voting in the correct precinct also is being emphasized.

On Election Day, voters who appear in the correct county but in the wrong precinct may mark a provisional ballot, which will be counted for all contests in which the voter is eligible to participate. This out-of-precinct voting is currently allowed because of a preliminary injunction granted under a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, but this option remains the subject of ongoing litigation in federal court. Check the State Board of Elections website — www.ncsbe.gov — for any changes regarding this matter.

A voter may determine his or her correct polling place by visiting the State Board of Elections website or the Beaufort County Board of Elections website — http://www.beaufortncboe.org — or by calling the local elections board at 252-946-2321. Sample ballots also may be viewed by visiting the local elections board website or the State Board of Elections website.

Today is the beginning of absentee voting by mail for the Nov. 3 elections. Oct. 9 is the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 elections. Early voting for the Nov. 3 elections ends Oct. 31. Oct. 27 is the last day to request an absentee ballot.

All of Beaufort County’s seven municipalities have elections this year.

 

 

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