Voter Registration Deadline Nears

By Nelda Holder

Under new voting laws recently enacted in North Carolina, April 11 will be the last day to register in order to vote in the May 6 primary election.

Changes in state law eliminated the same-day registration for voters during one-stop early voting, and any new registration now must take place 25 days before the official primary election day.

Registration forms are available at libraries, on www.ncsbe.gov, or at the Buncombe County Election Services office, 35 Woodfin St., Asheville.

Other changes that take effect in 2014 include reducing early voting to 10 days; elimination of straight-ticket voting (voters must mark their preferred candidate in each race); no out-of-precinct voting; and a newly required form for absentee ballot requests. Absentee ballots must also now contain the signatures and addresses of two witnesses or one notary public, in addition to the signature of the voter.

Beginning in 2016, a photo ID will be required in order to vote. This is not mandatory in 2014 and 2015 voting, although election officials may ask if you have a photo ID in order to give you information about the pending requirement.

Early voting will begin April 24. If you have questions about voting hours or locations, or about registering or other changes to the voting process, call Election Services at (828) 250-4200.

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Primary contests on the Buncombe County ballots for 2014 include Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian statewide races for U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representative races for District 10 (Republican primary) and District 11 (Democratic primary).

There are primary challenges for N.C. State Senate, District 49 (Republican); for Buncombe County District Attorney (Democratic); for the Buncombe County Board of County Commissioners in Districts 1 (Democratic), 2 (Democratic), and 3 (Republican); and for the Clerk of Superior Court, District 28 Court Judge, and for N.C. Supreme Court associate justice.