Edwards urges WNC citizens to make plans to vote
U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today shared information on how citizens affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina can make the necessary plans to vote in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Edwards said, "Although many Western North Carolinians are frantically putting their lives back together, an important election is coming up soon that we should not forget. I urge everyone to now plan how you will exercise our greatest liberty."
The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) has provided pertinent information and recommendations for voters in the Helene disaster area during the 2024 general election. The NCSBE website provides details on absentee voting, how to change your polling location if you have moved, county board of elections, office closures and more.
Absentee Voting
- Citizens who are displaced can request that an absentee ballot be delivered to their new location.
- Citizens who have already requested an absentee ballot and need it sent to a new location can contact their respective county board of elections to re-issue a ballot to the new location.
- Citizens can request an absentee ballot on the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal.
- The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5:00 p.m. the Tuesday before Election Day.
Early Voting
- In-person early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 17 and ends 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2.
- Find early voting sites and schedules in one's county on the NCSBE website.
Voter Registration
- Today, October 11, is the deadline for citizens to register to vote or change their registration to a new location if they have moved or been displaced due to Hurricane Helene.
- Citizens with an N.C. driver’s license or other N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) ID can register to vote online via the NCDMV website.
- Citizens can register to vote at an early voting site with an official document that shows their voting address.
Voter Photo ID
- Citizens who have lost a photo ID due to Hurricane Helene can fill out a Photo ID Exception Form at their local voting site or send the completed form back with their absentee ballot.
- A blank Exception Form will arrive with the absentee packet.
- Check the box for “Exception 3: Victim of a Natural Disaster.”
- Make sure to sign the form.
- A blank Exception Form will arrive with the absentee packet.
- Other avenues to obtain a valid photo ID are listed below:
- Go to one's county board of elections office.
- Registered voters can get their photos taken and print an acceptable ID on the spot.
- For details, go to the Get a Free Voter Photo ID page through the NC State Board of Elections.
- Registered voters can get their photos taken and print an acceptable ID on the spot.
- Get a free ID from the closest NCDMV office.
- Go to one's county board of elections office.
- For details about North Carolina’s photo ID requirement, including a list of all acceptable IDs, visit BringItNC.gov.