Elections Head Meets with NAACP

On Wednesday, April 15, Jeff Storey, director of elections in Transylvania County, met with several members of the local NAACP at Bethel “A”.

Storey said there are several bills at the federal and state level that could affect upcoming elections, but those bills, if they become law, will probably be challenged in the courts. As a result, he said no one is exactly sure what the regulations could be when the general election occurs in November.

As of April 15, however, Storey said the following rules, regulations, dates, etc, are in effect:

• The general election is set for Nov. 3. Early voting is from Oct. 13 through Oct. 31.
• Voter registration deadline is Oct. 9.
• If a person votes during early voting, but dies before Nov. 3, their vote does not count.
• The state no longer provides voter registration forms to third-party organizations. However, third parties can download a voter registration pdf from the state and make their own duplicates.
• The last day absentee ballots can be requested is two weeks before Election Day. Absentee ballots must contain a photocopy of a valid photo ID. The absentee ballot must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3; otherwise, the ballot will not count. Absentee voters can track their ballot through an app called BallotTrax.
• Felons who have completely “paid their debt to society” – jail time, restitution, fines, etc. are eligible to voter. However, they have to re-register as if they are a new voter.
• Out-of-precinct votes are still allowed, but they are considered provisional ballots. The Board of Elections has just three days after the election to verify provisional ballots.