Because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, any one who wants to vote in North Carolina’s Nov. 4 election must be already registered to vote. There will be no registration during the early voting period or on election day, and you must vote in your assigned precinct or your vote will not count.
However, there will be early voting and it begins next week in Wake County.
There are nine early voting locations in Wake County this year, and the closest for most area residents is the Northern Regional Center at 350 East Holding Avenue in Wake Forest. You can also vote early at the Wake County Board of Elections office in Raleigh and at seven other locations. Go to www.wakegov.com and see the Board of Elections site for the complete list with driving directions.
Early voting will begin next Thursday, Oct. 23, and continue through Saturday, Nov. 1. You can cast ballots from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the week days and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the two Saturdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. There is one Sunday for voting, Oct. 26, and the polls will be open from 1 to 5 p.m.
Today Cherie Poucher, the director for the Wake County Board of Elections, confirmed that the rule which says everyone in line to vote when the polls close may vote applies to both early voting and Election Day. “All county boards of election have procedures in place to record the names of voters in line once it is announced that the polls are closed.”
You can also vote absentee, which many find to be easier because you avoid crowds and can take your time studying the ballot. The last day to submit a request for an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28. Go to the Wake County Board of Elections site to see how to request and return an absentee ballot.
Voters in this election do not have to show any ID.
