Ready, Set, VOTE!

By Nelda Holder

If you’re confused by all the local, state, and national news about North Carolina’s new voting law, then be assured that changes in the voting process itself will not go into effect this year.

The photo-identification requirement to vote, which has been at the center of controversy over the Voter Information Verification Act passed by the NC General Assembly this year, does not take effect until January of 2016. That leaves two full years for potential changes to be made to the law itself, either by the Legislature or through the courts. So far, three lawsuits—two in federal court and one at the state level—have been filed to challenge that requirement.

Nothing changes in 2013

For this year’s municipal elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, however, there are no changes to voting requirements. Registered voters may show up and vote the same way they have before. All 80 precinct polling places in Buncombe County will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

It is important to ensure that your registration is up-to-date (is your address correct? has there been a name change?) and that you know where to go vote—at your proper precinct on Election Day, or at any of the early voting locations available.

Early voting (Mon.-Sat., no Sundays) is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat., Oct. 19 through Fri., Nov. 1 at the Asheville Mall, S. Buncombe Library, W. Asheville Library, and N. Asheville Library. You can also vote between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Election Services office, 35 Woodfin St., from Thur., Oct. 17 through Fri., Nov. 1. The final early voting day is Sat., Nov. 2, when all sites are open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

General Election

Early Voting Details
Locations: Asheville Mall, S. Buncombe Library, W. Asheville Library, N. Asheville Library
•    Dates: Saturday, October 19 through Friday, November 1
•    Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Election Services, 35 Woodfin Street
•    Dates: Thursday, October 17 through Friday, November 1
•    Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FINAL DAY: Saturday, November 2, ALL sites open from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
•    No Sunday voting in Buncombe County.

Election Day Voting
Tuesday, November 5, all 80 precinct polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

According to a guide published by the League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County (ablwv.org), next year will bring about a host of different practices around the ballot box, even without the photo ID.

Significant changes in 2014 include an end to same-day registration during Early Voting and a reduction in Early Voting opportunities from 17 days to 10. The two major political parties will get to appoint additional poll-watchers, and any county voter will be allowed to challenge the right to vote of any potential voter in the county. The challenge option has existed before, but only within the challenger’s own precinct.

Also changing in 2014 is the possibility of voting a provisional ballot (to be verified later) if a voter goes to the wrong polling place. The new law will require the voter to travel to his or her correct polling place in order to vote. A voter who arrives at the wrong precinct late on the day of a General Election, or who does not have transportation to the correct one, may lose the chance to vote at all.

In 2016, voters will be required to produce a photo ID in order to obtain a ballot. The only photo IDs accepted will be a NC driver’s license (or an out-of-state license if presented within 90 days of registering); a NC non-driver ID to be provided by the NC Dept. of Transportation; or a U.S. passport, U.S. military or veteran’s ID, or Tribal enrollment card. Also, a voter over 70 who has an expired NC driver’s license that was valid when the voter turned 70 can use that license.

Importantly, NO student IDs—even from students enrolled at state university campuses and publicly run community colleges—will be allowed as photo identification.

There will be an exemption from producing a photo ID for people who hold a religious objection to being photographed; for curbside voters; and for victims of a natural disaster that takes place within 60 days of the election. Anyone exempted under these rules must still show some proof of identity and residency.

Further out, beginning in 2018, all touch-screen voting machines across the state must produce a paper ballot that becomes the voter’s official record, which will mean retooling for any county that does not currently have that capacity.

If you have questions about your registration, your polling place, or anything else involved with voting, call the Buncombe County Board of Elections at (828) 250-4200, or the NC Board of Elections, 919-773-7173 or 1-866-522-4723.