Frequently Asked Questions

VOTER REGISTRATION QUESTIONS

How and Where can I get a Voter Registration Form/Change of Address & Party Change Form?
Pick up a form at any Wake County Public Library, any of the town halls, at the Board of Elections office, 337 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, or on our website at www.wakegov.com/elections. Complete and sign the form and mail it to us. You may use the same form to update, your name, address and party. You may also complete the back of your voter card and mail in or deliver it to the Wake County Board of Elections.  Our mailing address is:

Wake County Board of Elections
PO Box 695
Raleigh, NC  27602

When is the deadline to register to vote in an Election?
If mailed, the registration form must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election. If hand-delivered, the registration form must be received at the Board of Elections office no later than 5 p.m. on the 25th day prior to the Election or postmarked by that date.

The deadline to register for the November 4, 2008, General Election is OCTOBER 10, 2008, by 5 p.m.

Do you need your voter registration card to Vote?
NO, you do not need your voter registration card to vote. You will state your name and address (and party affiliation if it is a Primary Election).

How do I know where to vote?
When you register or make an address change or information change, or if the Board of Elections assigns you to a new precinct or polling place, the Board of Elections sends you a new voter card. Your voting place (polling place) is printed on the card. You are assigned a polling place based on the precinct where you live. You may also search with our website at www.wakegov.com/elections to determine your registration status and voting location. The voter information there is updated approximately weekly. If you don't know where to vote or if you have moved from the residence address that we have on file, don't wait until Election Day! You may experience a delay in voting if your residence address is not up to date or if we have sent mail to your voter registration address that was returned to us by the Postal Service.

Search for your registration status and polling place location.

How do I know if my voter registration is up to date?
If you are not sure of the status of your voter registration, call the Wake County Board of Elections office at 919-856-6240 and someone will verify your registration status. Determine your registration status, voting location and ballot for the upcoming election. The voter information there is updated weekly.

What if I moved within Wake County but didn't send an address change before the election?

If a registered voter in Wake County has moved within Wake County more than 30 days prior to an election and failed to notify the Board of Elections, the voter may:

1. Vote early at a Early Voting location. NC General Statutes allow voters to change their address and vote the correct ballot for their updated address when voting at a One-Stop location.  Go to www.WakeVotesEarly.com for a complete list of early voting sites. This is the easiest and quickest option if you did not update your address.
   
2. Vote at your new precinct on Election Day – you may vote a provisional ballot. Please give yourself plenty of time if you go on Election Day to update your information at your new precinct. This process requires additional time to complete the forms necessary to update your information before you can be issued your ballot.

Call or e-mail the Board of Elections for further information – 919-856-6240 or voter@co.wake.nc.us

ELECTION INFORMATION

Where do I vote?
Find out where to vote on Election Day.

Go to www.WakeVotesEarly.com to get a list of all Early Voting Sites. ANY Wake County voter can go to any early voting site to vote. Avoid the lines and enjoy the convenience of voting early.

Can you give me directions to where I vote?
Find directions and maps.

I heard that if I vote at an Early Voting site or Absentee by mail, then my vote may not get counted. Is that true?
NO. Your vote will be counted on Election Day, the same as if you went and voted in your precinct (but you avoid the lines on Election Day).

Who can vote at an early voting site, and which one can I go to?
ANY Wake County voter can go to ANY of the Early Voting sites. You can get more information about Wake County Early Voting sites, dates and times at:  www.WakeVotesEarly.com

Can I wear a button or T-shirt into my polling place that says "Vote For" a particular candidate on it?
PER Don Wright, with the NC State Board of Elections:
A voter may enter a voting place to vote wearing political items as long as they proceed to vote in a orderly and timely manner, and do not attempt to electioneer within the voting place. A voter wearing a T-shirt saying "Vote for X" that shouts "vote for X" or places his T-shirt in the sight line of voters asking support for "X" is obviously electioneering and will be asked to refrain from the conduct at once and, if they continue, will be removed.

A voter that has a political cap, T-shirt or button and does not electioneer within the polling place will be allowed to vote in a normal manner. A voter wearing a political item does not violate GS 163-166.4. We do not know what the laws of other states provide. You have to contact them.
Don Wright, General Counsel, NC State Board of Elections

§ 163 166.4. Limitation on activity in the voting place and in a buffer zone around it.
(a) Buffer Zone and Adjacent Area for Election Related Activity. – No person or group of persons shall hinder access, harass others, distribute campaign literature, place political advertising, solicit votes, or otherwise engage in election related activity in the voting place or in a buffer zone which shall be prescribed by the county board of elections around the voting place. In determining the dimensions of that buffer zone for each voting place, the county board of elections shall, where practical, set the limit at 50 feet from the door of entrance to the voting place, measured when that door is closed, but in no event shall it set the limit at more than 50 feet or at less than 25 feet. Except as provided in subsection (b), the county board of elections shall also provide an area adjacent to the buffer zone for each voting place in which persons or groups of persons may distribute campaign literature, place political advertising, solicit votes, or otherwise engage in election related activity.
(b) Special Agreements About Election Related Activity. – The Executive Director of the State Board of Elections may grant special permission for a county board of elections to enter into an agreement with the owners or managers of a nonpublic building to use the building as a voting place on the condition that election related activity as described in subsection (a) of this section not be permitted on their property adjacent to the buffer zone, if the Executive Director finds all of the following:
(1) That no other suitable voting place can be secured for the precinct.
(2) That the county board will require the chief judge of the precinct to monitor the grounds around the voting place to ensure that the restriction on election related activity shall apply to all candidates and parties equally.
(3) That the pattern of voting places subject to agreements under this subsection does not disproportionately favor any party, racial or ethnic group, or candidate.
An agreement under this subsection shall be valid for as long as the nonpublic building is used as a voting place.
(c) Notice About Buffer Zone. – No later than 30 days before each election, the county board of elections shall make available to the public the following information concerning each voting place:
(1) The door from which the buffer zone is measured.
(2) The distance the buffer zone extends from that door.
(3) Any available information concerning where political activity, including sign placement, is permitted beyond the buffer zone.
(d) Buffer Zone at One Stop Sites. –The provisions of this section shall apply to one stop voting sites in G.S. 163 227.2, except that the notice in subsection (c) of this section shall be provided no later than 10 days before the opening of one stop voting at the site. (2001 460, s. 3; 2003 365, s. 1; 2007 391, s. 13.)

Do I have to show ID at the Precinct to Vote?
NC Law only Requires ID if you did not provide the required information when you registered to vote (if by mail or voter registration drive).

When are the polls open?
Election Day, the polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Go to www.WakeVotesEarly.com for a list of locations, dates and times for your options to vote early.

Can I bring someone with me to help me vote?
Yes. 

§ 163-166.8. Assistance to voters.
(a) Any registered voter qualified to vote in the election shall be entitled to assistance with entering and exiting the voting booth and in preparing ballots in accordance with the following rules:
(1) Any voter is entitled to assistance from the voter's spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild, as chosen by the voter.
(2) A voter in any of the following four categories is entitled to assistance from a person of the voter's choice, other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of the voter's union:
a. A voter who, on account of physical disability, is unable to enter the voting booth without assistance.
b. A voter who, on account of physical disability, is unable to mark a ballot without assistance.
c. A voter who, on account of illiteracy, is unable to mark a ballot without assistance.
d. A voter who, on account of blindness, is unable to enter the voting booth or mark a ballot without assistance.
(b) A qualified voter seeking assistance in an election shall, upon arriving at the voting place, request permission from the chief judge to have assistance, stating the reasons. If the chief judge determines that such assistance is appropriate, the chief judge shall ask the voter to point out and identify the person the voter desires to provide such assistance. If the identified person meets the criteria in subsection (a) of this section, the chief judge shall request the person indicated to render the assistance. The chief judge, one of the judges, or one of the assistants may provide aid to the voter if so requested, if the election official is not prohibited by subdivision
(a)(2) of this section. Under no circumstances shall any precinct official be assigned to assist a voter qualified for assistance, who was not specified by the voter.
(c) A person rendering assistance to a voter in an election shall be admitted to the voting booth with the voter being assisted. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate rules governing voter assistance, and those rules shall adhere to the following guidelines:
(1) The person rendering assistance shall not in any manner seek to persuade or induce any voter to cast any vote in any particular way.
(2) The person rendering assistance shall not make or keep any memorandum of anything which occurs within the voting booth.
(3) The person rendering assistance shall not, directly or indirectly, reveal to any person how the assisted voter marked ballots, unless the person rendering assistance is called upon to testify in a judicial proceeding for a violation of the election laws.

I’m legally blind; can someone accompany me in the voting booth?
Yes, anyone of your choice, except your employer or union agent. Also, one of the Precinct Judges can assist you.

Can my Power of Attorney vote for me?
No. If you cannot make it to the polls, you can request an Absentee Ballot.

IF YOU HAVE MOVED SINCE THE LAST TIME YOU VOTED…

You moved less than 30 days ago and don’t know where to vote.
If you moved less than 30 days ago, you must vote at your old precinct.
The easiest and most convenient way would be to vote at an early voting location. Go to www.WakeVotesEarly.com for a complete list of Early Voting locations, dates and times.

You moved more than 30 days ago but didn’t get a new voter registration card, and don’t know where to vote.
If you changed your address with the Board of Elections, you may go to your new precinct, which we can verify for you here.

If you are at the old precinct, tell them where you have moved, and they will refer you to your correct voting precinct.

The easiest and most convenient way would be to vote at an early voting location. Go to www.WakeVotesEarly.com for a complete list of Early Voting locations, dates and times.

ABSENTEE QUESTIONS

Can I vote Absentee on Election Day?
No, Absentee Ballots are not available on Election Day; you must vote in your precinct.

I will be away on Election Day. How do I vote by absentee ballot?
All registered voters in Wake County may request an absentee ballot by mail or may vote early at an early voting site at www.WakeVotesEarly.com.
Listing an excuse is no longer required. For more detailed information, read about absentee voting.

Is it too late to Request an Absentee Ballot?
Find out more about requesting an Absentee Ballot. There is a deadline to request an Absentee by Mail. There is also a deadline to return the Absentee ballot, which is the day before the Election Day by 5 p.m.

Do you have to request an Absentee Ballot for each Election?
Yes, however, if you are requesting an Absentee Ballot for the Primary, you may request that a General Election Absentee Ballot be sent to you, as well. The Absentee Ballots will, of course, be mailed separately at the appropriate time.

I did not get a voter card but think I am registered. Can I vote today?
Determine if you are in our voter database.

I am at the wrong precinct; can I vote here anyway?
On Election Day, voters should vote in their assigned precinct. If you think there is a chance you may not make it to your precinct on Election Day, we recommend you consider voting early at one of our Early Voting sites. Go to www.WakeVotesEarly.com for a complete list of Early Voting locations, dates and times.

You may vote a paper provisional ballot if you go to the wrong precinct, but if you’re voting in the wrong precinct, your ballot may only be partially counted. By showing up at the incorrect location, you may not get to vote for your correct jurisdictional representatives, such as School Board and State House and Senate representatives. Please plan on allowing yourself additional time at the polls if you go to the wrong precinct. All proper forms, documentation and ballot verification must be made before you can be issued a ballot at the incorrect precinct.

I am out of the county/country and I know there is an election today/soon; how can I vote? If you are not in the county/country on Election Day, there is no way you can vote. You would need to plan ahead to attend Early Voting or request an Absentee Ballot. See above for information on Absentee Ballots. Find out more about requesting an Absentee Ballot.

Where can I get a sample ballot?
View your sample ballot.

I saw somebody at the polls today who doesn't live in this precinct anymore. How do I get that person to vote where they're supposed to?
You can talk to the precinct officials and file an Election Day Challenge. They have the forms and the instructions. You can also contact the Board of Elections office and we’ll tell you the other procedures… Either way, thanks for keeping your eyes open!

Do I have to show my ID at the polls?
You may be required to show ID the first time you vote in Wake County if you registered by mail and did not provide a valid identity number and did not submit a copy of one of the following:

• A current and valid photo ID.
• A current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck, or a government document that shows your name and address as it appears on this application.

What if a voter is unable to enter the polling place because of age or physical disability?
If the voter wishes to vote on Election Day, the voter will be allowed to vote outside the polling place. This procedure is called "curbside voting." Look for the "Curbside Voting" sign and park there. The precinct official handling "Curbside Voters" will assist the voter in preparing the necessary paperwork. If possible, having someone enter the voting place and informing the precinct election official that a voter needs to vote curbside is helpful. Or the voter may choose to vote by absentee ballot.

Can I sit in the car and vote curbside with the person I am bringing to curbside vote?
ONLY if YOU qualify by age or physical disability that you cannot enter the polling place.

I am registered unaffiliated; may I vote in a Primary Election?
You may register with any political party recognized in the State of North Carolina. Party affiliation determines the primary in which a voter is eligible to vote. You may also register as unaffiliated. If you do not declare a party, you will be registered as unaffiliated. During a partisan primary election, an unaffiliated voter must choose which party ballot he wishes to vote on the day of the Primary.

NOVEMBER 4, 2008, is a General Election.  No matter what your party, everyone will be issued the same ballot based on their voting jurisdiction, not party preference.

 

QUESTIONS?  COMMENTS?  FEEDBACK?

Do you have a question you don’t see answered here? Then please send us a message. Include a note in the body of the text that we ought to include it in our FAQ section as well as the question you want an answer to. E-mail your FAQ suggestions to voter@co.wake.nc.us