As a nonprofit organization, the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) does not become directly involved in elections or campaigns, but we want members of our community to understand their right to vote, how to vote, and where to get accurate and up-to-date information. ASNC will be publishing updated version of articles, blogs and other information originally published in 2020 to help you understand voting and elections for 2022.
This year, voters in our state will select members of Congress, our North Carolina (NC) General Assembly, and state judges. It is likely that national attention will focus on state primaries, especially for US Senate and US House of Representatives, as well as state legislative races.
When are we voting in North Carolina?
Primary: May 17
General election: Nov. 8
Primaries determine which candidates will run from various parties in the general election. North Carolina has āsemi-closedā primaries. If you are registered with a specific political party, you will vote with that partisan ballot, closed from other parties. Unaffiliated voters can vote for one registered partyās ballot.
The general election in November will elect members of Congress, members of the NC General Assembly, and judges for the State Supreme Court and appellate courts. All these elected officials and more have an influence on issues related to autism, disabilities, education, health and human services, and rights. ASNC encourages you to understand when and how you can exercise your right to vote.
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Do I vote in the same place I voted last time?
If you voted in person in the last election and/or plan to vote in person in the elections this year, rather than voting by mail, be sure to check and see if your voting place and/or your voting district has changed. Why is it important to verify this information?
Every ten years, following the US Census, voting districts in North Carolina are allowed to change based on updated information about population across the state. The North Carolina General Assembly is responsible for drawing up and approving the district maps. For the most up to date information on voting and voting districts, please see the State Board of Elections at https://www.ncsbe.gov/.
You can check your voting district and your registration by going to the Voter Search page at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/
How do I register to vote and when is the deadline?
To be eligible to vote, you must be a citizen, at least 18 years of age, live in the county where you register, and reside there for 30 days before the date of the election. People with felony convictions must have completed their sentence, including probation or parole, before registering.
To register, you must complete a voter registration form and mail it to the board of elections office in your county. (Find the address for your county online.) You can download a registration form from the NC State Board of Elections (SBOE) website or pick up a printed form at local county boards of election or sites in your community, including libraries, high schools, college admissions offices, the DMV, public assistance agencies, disability services offices, and employment assistance offices.
To update your registration, use the same form and mail it to your current county board of elections. If you have moved or are planning to move during the election year, please see the SBOE website for special instructions regarding relocations, moves, and residency requirements.
The registration deadline is 25 days before each election: April 22 for the primary and Oct. 14 for the general election.
Can I register and vote the same day?
ONLY at one-stop early voting sites. To do so, you must attest to your eligibility by filling out the forms and also provide proof of residence such as your driverās license with current address, an ID with address, utility bill, bank statement, etc. Please see the SBOE website for a full list of acceptable documents to prove residency.
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Do I need photo identification to vote?
You do not need photo identification to vote in North Carolina. Information about photo identification and voting in North Carolina can be found on the website of the NC State Board of Elections website at www.ncsbe.gov/voter-ID.
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