The #1 Way to Vote This Year
Vote Early and In Person! Democracy depends on it.
I never thought I’d warn my friends to plan today how to vote weeks from now, but this year is different. First, as many people have said, it’s the most important election of our lifetime. American democracy itself is on the ballot.
There’s another reason to plan ahead. In North Carolina, Republican extremists in power have for a long time whittled away at our voting rights by changing the regulations, and a voter needs to be informed.
For example, Absentee Mail-In Ballots now have onerous rules. Here are three of them.
Attach a copy of your “approved” photo ID.
Get signatures of one notary or two witnesses. (“See ‘Assistance with Returning Your Ballot’ … for additional witness requirements.”)
There is no longer a 3-day grace period when an absentee ballot is received in the mail after the deadline, 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
In reality, our election system is entirely secure, but the burden to know every single detail of the public part of the process is on the voter. Don’t you think that will discourage some people from voting? Especially when they hear the false “news” that “voter fraud is rampant”.
So DO NOT vote by mail if you can Vote Early In Person. Vote down the whole ballot, and then make sure your ballot is recorded.
(If you do choose to vote by mail and have questions, call your local county Board of Elections office for friendly, clear instructions.)
What if you’re in town during Early Voting but you can’t go vote? Here are two options:
Curbside Voting. If you’re unable to go inside, a poll worker will bring a ballot to your car.
A volunteer driver. If you don’t have transportation, call your local Democratic Party Headquarters for a ride to the polls.
Jonah Garson, a North Carolina Democratic Party official, summed up why it’s so important to Vote Early In Person this year if you can.
Bad weather can happen on Election Day
You will have time to easily fix any issues [update your address, re-register if needed, etc. during Early Voting]
Early Democratic votes boost Democratic GOTV (Get Out the Vote)
Your name will be taken off volunteer-callers’ lists, and they can call more voters
You inspire others, so spread the word
Our candidate for NC Commissioner of Insurance, Natasha Marcus, says:
Make sure you are registered to vote at your current address by October 11, 2024. Check your registration here.
Or if you’re a NC Dept. of Vehicles customer, they have your signature on file and you can register or update your registration online at this link.
You can also register to vote by downloading the form or picking one up at a library or at your county board of elections office. Hand-deliver it to your county office [my recommendation], or mail it [well before the deadline] postmarked by October 11, 2024 .
Don’t be caught unprepared. Make an informed vote in every race, all the way to the end of the ballot.
Have a valid photo ID, such as a NC driver’s license. If you are unsure if your ID qualifies, see this video or go to this site.
See my notes below this post for websites that have North Carolina voting information.
I’ve already picked up my Sample Ballot at the Board of Elections (although, as of this writing, it might have to be reprinted now that former presidential candidate RFK wants his name removed). A few days before I go to the polls I plan to mark my Sample Ballot from top to bottom, to take with me into the voting booth.
Save the date! On October 19 in Brevard there will be a women’s Early Voting event with music and speakers. Everyone is welcome to attend. I’ll be there with my sunhat, my homemade sign and my voting ID.
Trish Parker, a planner of this event, told me,
We will head to the polls in groups to show our collective support for and celebration of our local and state candidates and the Harris/Walz ticket.
I am looking forward to gathering with fellow Transylvanians as we joyfully celebrate this election and also take action — our civic right and responsibility — to cast our votes together for the people and for American democracy.
See you at Early Voting - In Person!
I’m going to print off your entire column! Great voting resource and I’m glad to know about the 10/19 gathering. Thanks, Deeda!