Tag Archive for: #vancecountyboardofelections

Elections Board Calls Recess In Canvass Process, Putting On Hold Certifying Oct. 10 Election Results

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UPDATE 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023

Mayoral Runoff Election Early Voting Starts 10-19-23

Geocoding issue resolved

WIZS Radio 5pm News Segment 1 From 10-18-23 Henderson Municipal Election Canvass

Click Here to Play – wizs.com/wizs-radio-5pm-news-segment-1-from-10-18-23-henderson-municipal-election-canvass/

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ORIGINAL POST UPDATED 5 P.M. TUESDAY, OCT. 17, 2023

The Vance County Board of Elections has called for a “recess” in the post-election canvass process – that 10-day window following an election that officials have to verify and certify results.

This action comes one week after the Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in Henderson that included contests for four City Council seats and a four-candidate field for mayor.

A runoff had been set for the mayoral contest, but those plans also were put on hold earlier today, per the N.C. State Board of Elections. The recess means that none of the contests have been certified.

In a meeting held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Vance Board of Elections Chair James Baines issued the following statement:

“The Vance County Board of Elections is recessing Canvass completion for the Municipal Election that occurred on 10-October-23 because the State Board of Elections has not yet completed the investigation regarding the geocoding issue. Canvass will reconvene once the State Board of Elections notifies the County Board of the completion of the investigation and resolution to the issue.”

As elections board members explained, the process of certifying election results considers all contests as one process; results must “be submitted to the state at once,”  board member Cathy Clodfelter said Tuesday. So because all of the results have not been certified, none of the contests has been certified.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin informed WIZS News that early voting – set to begin in two days’ time – would not begin as previously announced.

Cocklin read the brief statement to WIZS News from the state board of elections:

“The results of the 10-October-2023 Vance County municipal election have not been officially declared by law, therefore the run-off election cannot be called for at this time.”

A glitch in geocoding is at the heart of the issue, and elections officials acknowledged the state board of the possible problem. As part of election coverage to announce the unofficial results on Oct. 10, WIZS included a statement from Baines that was issued after the polls had closed:

“The Vance County Board of Elections is aware of a geocoding issue that may have caused some voters in the city of Henderson elections to receive a ballot in Tuesday’s election that did not have the correct alderman ward contest. The County Board immediately notified the State Board of Elections, which is working with the county to determine how many voters’ ballots were affected. Election night results are always unofficial, and the post-election canvass process will ensure that the votes are counted correctly for each contest. Election officials will provide additional information about this situation as it becomes available.”

Cocklin provided few details about next steps, but she said she has provided information to the state board as it is requested.
“They’re asking us and we’re providing information as quickly as we can,” she said. “The only thing I know is they are working on it,” she said, “meeting every day – at least once every day.”

Just in case you need a refresher course in civics, here’s some information from the state board of elections website:

“Results on election night are unofficial. Canvass is the official process of determining if the votes have been counted and tabulated correctly, resulting in the authentication of the official election results.

For close elections, the canvass period is especially important. During this time, elections officials count absentee ballots that came in before the deadline and research provisional ballots to determine whether they should be counted.

In every county, the canvass meeting when the results are certified is 10 days after Election Day. Because elections thrive on transparency, the canvass meeting is open to the public.”

Henderson Mayor Runoff Election Set For Nov. 7; Early Voting Begins Oct. 19

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Significant updates and changes have occurred since this original post on Oct. 13.  It is strongly recommended that you review the new information available as of 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2023 in bold rather than the original post.

The Vance County Board of Elections has called for a “recess” in the post-election canvass process – that 10-day window following an election that officials have to verify and certify results.

This action comes one week after the Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in Henderson that included contests for four City Council seats and a four-candidate field for mayor.

A runoff had been set for the mayoral contest, but those plans also were put on hold earlier today, per the N.C. State Board of Elections. The recess means that none of the contests have been certified.

In a meeting held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Vance Board of Elections Chair James Baines issued the following statement:

“The Vance County Board of Elections is recessing Canvass completion for the Municipal Election that occurred on 10-October-23 because the State Board of Elections has not yet completed the investigation regarding the geocoding issue. Canvass will reconvene once the State Board of Elections notifies the County Board of the completion of the investigation and resolution to the issue.”

As elections board members explained, the process of certifying election results considers all contests as one process; results must “be submitted to the state at once,”  board member Cathy Clodfelter said Tuesday. So because all of the results have not been certified, none of the contests has been certified.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin informed WIZS News that early voting – set to begin in two days’ time – would not begin as previously announced.

Cocklin read the brief statement to WIZS News from the state board of elections:

“The results of the 10-October-2023 Vance County municipal election have not been officially declared by law, therefore the run-off election cannot be called for at this time.”

A glitch in geocoding is at the heart of the issue, and elections officials acknowledged the state board of the possible problem. As part of election coverage to announce the unofficial results on Oct. 10, WIZS included a statement from Baines that was issued after the polls had closed:

“The Vance County Board of Elections is aware of a geocoding issue that may have caused some voters in the city of Henderson elections to receive a ballot in Tuesday’s election that did not have the correct alderman ward contest. The County Board immediately notified the State Board of Elections, which is working with the county to determine how many voters’ ballots were affected. Election night results are always unofficial, and the post-election canvass process will ensure that the votes are counted correctly for each contest. Election officials will provide additional information about this situation as it becomes available.”

Cocklin provided few details about next steps, but she said she has provided information to the state board as it is requested.
“They’re asking us and we’re providing information as quickly as we can,” she said. “The only thing I know is they are working on it,” she said, “meeting every day – at least once every day.”

Just in case you need a refresher course in civics, here’s some information from the state board of elections website:

“Results on election night are unofficial. Canvass is the official process of determining if the votes have been counted and tabulated correctly, resulting in the authentication of the official election results.

For close elections, the canvass period is especially important. During this time, elections officials count absentee ballots that came in before the deadline and research provisional ballots to determine whether they should be counted.

In every county, the canvass meeting when the results are certified is 10 days after Election Day. Because elections thrive on transparency, the canvass meeting is open to the public.”

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Original Post Oct. 13, 2023:

County elections officials have confirmed that a runoff election to determine the next mayor of the City of Henderson is set for Tuesday, Nov. 7. Residents will be able to vote early, beginning Thursday, Oct. 19.

None of the four mayoral candidates received the 50 percent plus 1 vote needed to be declared the winner in Tuesday’s nonpartisan municipal elections; Melissa Elliott led the field with just more than 48 percent of the vote, and Greg Etheridge requested a runoff on Wednesday. That request was granted when it became clear that the provisional ballots would not be enough to give Elliott the necessary votes to prevent a runoff.

The person who receives more votes will be declared the winner.

The early voting period will run from Thursday, Oct. 19 until Friday, Nov. 3.  The Monday-through-Friday hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The location is the Dr. Andrea Harris City of Henderson Operations Center on Beckford Drive.  And just as was the case for the recent municipal election, the final Saturday before the runoff date will feature early voting as well.  That lone Saturday, Nov. 4, features early voting hours of 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

If all of that seems familiar, it is because essentially it’s the same in principle as the election that was just held.  The new director of the board of elections, Jennifer Cocklin, told WIZS News the early voting had “to be done the same way.”

And when the runoff date of Nov. 7 arrives, voters will be able to return to the nine precincts used most recently and vote from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson Mayoral Race Remains A 4-Way Race Following Hearing

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The Vance County Board of Elections ruled Tuesday afternoon that Henderson mayoral candidate Greg Etheridge may remain on the October ballot. Etheridge’s residency was called into question, but the board ruled in his favor during a hearing that began at 4 p.m.

Both Etheridge and challenger Sara Coffey, also a candidate for mayor, were present for the hearing, which lasted more than an hour. Coffey said she plans to appeal to the state board of elections; state law requires that appeals be made within 10 days of the local decision. The state board will decide whether to hear the appeal or uphold the local decision.

Etheridge and three sitting City Council members are competing for the office of mayor. Mayor Eddie Ellington announced earlier that he would not seek re-election.  Melissa Elliott and Jason Spriggs are the other mayoral candidates rounding out the field.

The city’s nonpartisan municipal elections will be held on Oct. 10.

Early voting begins Sept. 21 and continues through Oct. 7, and Vance County Elections Director Melody Vaughan said the early voting site again will located at the Dr. Andrea L. Harris Operations Center on Beckford Drive.

The hours for early voting are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Saturday, Oct. 7 hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to the mayor, candidates are vying for four seats on the Henderson City Council. Ward 2 incumbent Mike Rainey faces challengers Sam Seifert and Janice Ward, and four newcomers are in the race for the Ward 1 seat. Geraldine Champion, Symia Crews, Clementine Hunter and Corey Pearson are on the ballot for Ward 1, a seat currently held by Marion Brodie Williams, who did not seek re-election.

In two at-large races, Kory Franklin, Michael Venable and Michelle Wood are on the ballot for Ward 3 and George Daye, Lora Durham and Tami Walker are on the ballot for Ward 4.

City of Henderson Logo

Mayoral Candidates Down To Four – For Now

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Four candidates are currently in the race for Henderson mayor following a decision from the local elections board to remove one name from the ballot and a second mayoral candidate faces a similar challenge to his residency.

Wallace Cheek was removed from the list of candidates, according to Vance County Elections Board Director Melody Vaughan. Vaughan told WIZS News Tuesday that mayoral candidate Greg Etheridge also faces a hearing on Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. to determine his residency and eligibility to run for mayor.

“Mr. Etheridge will have to prove his residency to the board,” Vaughan explained. “They will make their decision the day of the hearing.”

Cheek’s eligibility to run for mayor had been challenged, and a hearing was set to review the matter before the Aug. 1 elections board meeting. Vaughan said neither the challenger nor Cheek was present for that hearing, which was scheduled to take place at 4 p.m.  before the board meeting.

As part of the process, Vaughan said three certified letters were sent to Cheek, and two that were delivered to the address within the city limits were returned as undeliverable.

Cheek was notified by certified mail of the board decision, along with information regarding the appeals process to the state board of elections. In addition, she said a letter also was hand delivered by the sheriff.

As part of the hearing process, Vaughan said she must hire a court reporter to be present, along with the county attorney, chairs of both parties. The hearing is open to the public.

Alan Gill Steps In As Interim Director Of Vance County Board Of Elections

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Alan Gill has been named to serve as interim Vance County Board of Elections director following the recent announcement that Melody Vaughan is stepping down from that position.

Gill told WIZS News Monday that he began today and he and Vaughan will have a couple of weeks to have some overlap before she leaves on Aug. 25.

“There’s a lot of things that need to go on,” Gill said, with city elections looming in early October and then elections in Kittrell and Middleburg a month later.

Gill has experience with elections that take place in the county and he has been a chief judge – mostly in the West Henderson polling location – since the early 2000’s. He also has worked the early vote sites since he retired from his job as director of the Vance County Recreation and Parks Department in 2014.

“If I can help, I’m glad to,” Gill said of his interim director role. “I’m actually quite happy just doing the chief judge duties, but didn’t want to see the Vance County Board of Elections left in a hard spot,” he added.

He also served a stint as deputy director a few years ago, so he has experience in much of the office operations, including processing registrations, cross-checking databases and updating addresses and voter information.

The position has been advertised, so Gill said he didn’t know how long this interim position will last. It could last through November, however, meaning that Gill will be the person leading the county’s election workers through the early-voting period and then carry out the Oct. 3 Henderson municipal elections.

“I know almost all of the election workers and most of the people that are at the sites that we use for voting,” Gill said, “so if I can help out and we get through this election in good shape, then I’ll be happy.”

Click Play – Broadcast Audio from 8-15-23

Local Elections Office Ready To Provide Voter ID Cards For Those Who Need One

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UPDATED Aug. 10 – 12:30 p.m.

Registered voters who do not have an acceptable identification for voting in NC can now go to their county board of elections office to get a free photo ID.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan said Wednesday afternoon that her office is ready to help voters who find they need one of the cards. There is an application that voters must complete before they will be issued an ID, Vaughan stated.

“We can provide this service Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” Vaughan said in an email to WIZS News, with the exception of Friday, Aug. 11 and Aug. 14 and Aug. 15. Staff will be attending a conference out of town and no ID cards will be processed on those days.

Most voters have a driver’s license, which is an acceptable form of photo ID to present to poll workers in order to cast their votes.

If you have a driver’s license – or other acceptable form of photo ID – you don’t need to get one from the board of elections office.

If however, you need a photo ID, you can come to your county’s board of elections office during business hours to request one. In most cases, the cards can be printed and issued right then and there, according to information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections office. Some counties, however, may need to mail the cards or let voters know when the card is available for pickup.

Find a list of acceptable forms of photo ID here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id

A voter need only provide his or her name, date of birth and last four digits of their Social Security number to get the ID. With that information, they’ll have a photograph taken and the process is complete.

In addition to the photo, the card will have the voter’s name and registration number. It will expire 10 years from the date of issuance.

County boards of elections can issue cards during regular business hours, except for the period following the last day of early voting through Election Day.

 

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson Municipal Election 2023 Updates

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— UPDATE 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 25

One candidate for the Ward 3 at-large seat on the Henderson City Council has withdrawn from the race and one of the five mayoral candidates faces a challenge that calls into question his eligibility.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan confirmed Tuesday that Daniel Blasky has withdrawn his name from consideration in the nonpartisan municipal elections set for Oct. 10.

Vance County GOP chairman Jimmy Barrier issued a statement to WIZS News, which read in part:  ” After much consideration, Daniel Blasky has decided to withdraw his name from the ballot for Ward 3 At-Large seat on the Henderson City Council to support Michelle Wood in her campaign for that seat. They are friends and have come together to work for the common good.”

Wallace Cheek’s candidacy has been challenged, Vaughan said, adding that this challenge will be heard on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. in the Board of Elections conference before the regularly scheduled board meeting.

Vaughan said Cheek’s residency is in question.  At the hearing, Cheek will have to prove that he lives at the address he listed when he filed to run for mayor.

The Aug. 1 hearing is open to the public.

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— UPDATE 3 p.m., Friday, July 21

With the filing period now ended for the upcoming municipal elections in Henderson, the stage is set for possible sweeping changes in the makeup of city leadership. Only one incumbent filed for re-election for his seat on the council; three current council members have filed to run for mayor.

The filing period ended at 12 noon Friday and Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan, who provided daily updates to WIZS each afternoon during the two-week filing period, said all candidates are eligible to run for the offices for which they filed.

Henderson voters will choose from among five candidates for mayor. Current Mayor Eddie Ellington announced last week that he would not seek a third term.

The candidates for mayor are:

Wallace Cheek

Sara Coffey

Melissa Elliott

Greg Etheridge

Jason Spriggs

Coffey, Elliott and Spriggs currently sit on the Henderson City Council; only Coffey would be eligible to retain her spot on the council, since she is not up for re-election this year.

Incumbent Mike Rainey filed Thursday, July 20 for re-election to Ward 2. Rainey faces opposition from Sam Seifert and Janice Ward.

Ward 1 has a four-way race, with candidates Geraldine Champion, Symia Crews, Clementine Hunter and Corey Pearson vying for the seat currently held by Marion Brodie Williams. Williams did not file for re-election.

There are now four candidates for the Ward 3 at-large seat and three candidates for the Ward 4 at-large seat.

Kory H. Franklin filed Friday to run for the Ward 3 at-large seat, joining Daniel Blasky, Michael Venable and Michelle Horner Wood; Melissa Elliott is the current council member for that seat.

Former City Council member George M. Daye is seeking to return to the council, filing Friday for the seat he previously held in Ward 4. The two-term council member joins Lora Durham, and Tami Walker, who previously had filed for the Ward 4 at-large seat. The Ward 4 at-large seat is currently held by Jason Spriggs. Wallace Evans withdrew his name for consideration on Friday, Vaughan said.

The non-partisan City of Henderson municipal election is Oct. 10; early voting for the Henderson elections begins Sept. 21 and ends Oct. 7.

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(PLEASE KEEP IN MIND WHAT’S BELOW IS A RUNNING ACCOUNT AND NOT THE FINAL STORY. THE FINAL STORY IS ABOVE.)

— UPDATE 5 p.m., Thursday, July 20

The filing period will end at 12 noon Friday, and presently at least a three-way race exists for each seat available, including a five-way race for mayor and a four-way race for the ward 1 ward seat.

Two additional people filed Thursday, and both filed for the Ward 2 seat.  Incumbent Mike Rainey filed, and Sam Seifert filed.  So far, Rainey is the only incumbent to file for re-election, in terms of filing for his/her existing seat.

Three sitting council members have filed to run for mayor, and Mayor Eddie Ellington has said he will not seek a third term.

Ward 1 incumbent Marion Williams has not filed to run. While Williams has made no official statement to WIZS nor any statement to local media that WIZS News is aware of, the number of filers from her ward and the public general consensus indicate she will not file.

The non-partisan City of Henderson municipal election is October 10. Early voting for the Henderson elections begins Sept. 21 and ends Oct. 7.

At present, the following races exist:

Filings for Mayor

Wallace Cheek

Sara Coffey

Melissa Elliott

Greg Etheridge

Jason Spriggs

Ward 1

Geraldine Champion

Symia Crews

Clementine Hunter

Corey Pearson

Ward 2

Mike Rainey (Incumbent)

Sam Seifert

Janice Ward

Ward 3 At Large

Daniel Blasky

Michael Venable

Michelle Horner Wood

Ward 4 At Large

Lora Durham

Wallace Evans

Tami Walker

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— UPDATE 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 19

A fourth candidate filed Wednesday for the Ward 1 seat on the Henderson City Council, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

Symia Crews added her name to the list for the Ward 1 seat.

The filing period for the Oct. 10 municipal elections ends at 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

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— UPDATE 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 18

The field is getting a bit more crowded for a couple of Henderson City Council seats, as three more candidates filed Tuesday, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

Wallace Evans and Tami Walker filed for the Ward 4 at-large seat, currently held by Jason Spriggs. Corey Pearson filed to run for the Ward 1 seat, currently held by Marion Brodie Williams.

That brings to three candidates each for the Ward 1 seat, and the at-large seats in Wards 3 and 4.

Janice Ward is the sole candidate thus far in the Ward 2 race.

The filing period for the Oct. 10 municipal elections ends at 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

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— UPDATE 5 p.m., Monday, July 17

According to information Monday afternoon from Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan, Wallace Cheek has filed for the second time to run for mayor of Henderson. This brings to five the number of candidates vying for the office of mayor.

Two others have filed for seats on the Henderson City Council – Michelle Horner Wood filed for the Ward 3 at-large seat and Lora Durham filed for the Ward 4 at-large seat, Vaughan reported Monday.

Susan Pulley filed Monday for commissioner for the town of Kittrell; Robert B. Tunstall filed Friday, July 14 for commissioner for the town of  Kittrell.

The filing period for the upcoming municipal elections ends at 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

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— UPDATE 7 p.m., Thursday, July 13

There is now a four-way race for mayor of Henderson following Jason Spriggs’s filing today. Spriggs currently holds the Ward 4 at-large seat on the Henderson City Council.

Clementine Hunter also filed Thursday for the Ward 1 seat on the Henderson council, according to Melody Vaughan, director of the Vance County Board of Elections. Geraldine Champion had already filed to run for the Ward 1 seat, which is currently held by Marion Brodie Williams.

The Ward 3 at-large seat is also a contested race, with both Daniel Blasky and Michael Venable candidates who have filed to run. This seat currently is being held by Melissa Elliott, who is one of the mayoral candidates. Sara Coffey is the other council member who has announced her candidacy for mayor. Coffey is the only one of the three council members who could retain her seat on the council since her term is not ending.

Gregory Etheridge filed Wednesday to run for mayor. Etheridge is president of Gupton Services.

The Ward 4 at-large seat remains without a filer at this time, since Spriggs put his hat into the ring with his filing Thursday.

Janice Ward filed for the Ward 2 seat, currently held by Mike Rainey.

The filing period continues through 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

The municipal election is Oct. 10 and there will be an early voting period, but the early voting polling sites have not been determined at this time, Vaughan said.

Hazel Baskett has filed for a seat on the Middleburg Town Council.

Mary Jo Floyd has filed to run for Kittrell town commissioner.

Wallace Cheek had filed to run for mayor of Henderson, but state elections officials removed his name late Tuesday after it was confirmed he does not live within the Henderson city limits.

Vance County Logo

Filing Period For Municipal Elections Opens July 7

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Filing for municipal elections begins Friday, July 7 at 12 noon and will conclude at 12 noon on July 21, 2023 at 12 noon. Someone will be in the office at all times during the business week  throughout the filing period, according to Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

The filing fee for the City of Henderson is $10. Candidates must live within the city limits and also must reside within the Ward for which they seek election.

Voters will elect a mayor, as well as council members in the 1st and 2nd Wards, and at-large members in Ward 3 and Ward 4.

The filing fee for the Town of Middleburg  is $5. Candidates for the office of mayor and for the three council seats must live within the city limits.

The filing fee for the Town of Kittrell also is $5 and candidates for mayor and for the three commissioner seats must live within the city limits to qualify as candidates.

NC State Board of Elections

Specifics On New Voter Photo ID Rules

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In response to the state’s new voter ID law, the state board of elections has issued information that may be helpful for citizens to keep in mind before their next trip to the polls.

Voters will be asked to show a photo ID, starting with the 2023 municipal elections. A driver’s license or other photo ID will be accepted.

Those without a photo ID can get a No Fee ID Card from NCDMV and soon, it is expected that a free ID will be available from your local board of elections office.

When a voter checks in to a polling place, poll workers will ask for an ID, and they are supposed to look to make sure the photo reasonably resembles the voter; the address doesn’t have to match the voter registration records

It is important to note that all voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. Those without an ID will use the ID exception form and a provisional ballot.

For complete details, visit ncsbe.gov/voter-ID and “FAQ: Voter ID” to learn more.

NC State Board of Elections

Vance County Elections Officials Work To Keep Voter Lists Accurate

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If you get a card in the mail from the Vance County Board of Elections asking you to confirm some information, it’s part of ongoing maintenance to keep the most updated voter rolls as possible. Vance County joins other county boards of elections across the state to conduct required processes designed to keep the state’s voter rolls accurate.

Elections Director Melody Vaughan told WIZS News this week that the office has sent out 177 cards requesting updated information from residents on the voter rolls. Vaughan said she anticipates another round of cards to go out in July.

These routine processes are required by state and federal laws, according to information from the N.C. State Board of Elections. Accurate voter rolls are maintained by removing voters who have moved or died or are otherwise ineligible to vote in that jurisdiction. Voter roll list maintenance is important because it ensures ineligible voters are not included on poll books during elections.

As a result of these processes, the number of North Carolina voter registrations will decrease in the first half of 2023. As of Feb. 25, about 7.2 million voters were registered in the state, down from more than 7.4 million on January 1.

A Biennial List Maintenance occurs early in odd-numbered years, so the cards that were sent from Vance County are part of the process to voters that have not voted in the previous two statewide elections and the county board of elections has had no contact with that person. In Vance County, the cards were sent to those with whom there has been no contact since Oct. 9, 2020.

If the voter doesn’t return the card within 30 days – and the elections office doesn’t get it back as undeliverable, the voter’s record will be marked “inactive” in the state’s voter registration database. Inactive voters are still registered voters, however; if an inactive voter shows up to vote, the person will be asked to verify their address and update it, if necessary.

The registrations of these voters will be canceled if they do not vote or otherwise confirm their registration by January 2027.

County boards of elections also have begun to remove certain “inactive” voters from the rolls. Voters will be removed from registration lists this year after being sent a no-contact mailing in 2019. Any voter removed in this way would not have had any contact with their county board of elections for four consecutive federal election cycles, not voted in any election during that time and not responded to a confirmation mailing.

Statewide, more than 264,000 inactive voters have been removed in 2023. Any removed registrant must be reinstated if the voter appears to vote and gives oral or written affirmation that the voter has not moved out of the county and has maintained residence continuously within the county. These voters’ votes will be counted absent evidence that they moved out of the county.

Voters may check their registration status at any time using the State Board’s Voter Search tool.

To learn more about registering to vote in North Carolina, visit: Registering.