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Elections - Ballot & Registration

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1. Which ballot is for me?

Fill out all required information on Voter Search to locate which sample ballot is for you.

2. Where can I get Voter Registration Forms?

Pick up a form at the:

• Board of Elections Office
  2118 S Sterling Street
  Morganton, NC 28655
• Post Offices
• Public Libraries
• Town Halls

Complete and sign the form and mail it to us or you can drop it by the Board of Elections Office. We’ll send a new voter card to you!

3. How do I change my address?

We must have one of two documents signed by the voter (an email won’t do.) Either send us your:

1. Voter card with the change of address indicated on the back
2. Completed voter registration application form, showing your new address

Make sure you sign the card/form! We’ll do the data entry and send a new voter card to you.

4. How do I change my party affiliation?

We must have one of two documents signed by the voter (an email won’t do.) Either send us your:

1. Voter card with the change marked on the back
2. Completed voter registration application form, showing the new party affiliation

Make sure you sign the card/form! We’ll do the data entry and send a new voter card to you.

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Elections - General

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1. I moved less than 30 days ago; where do I vote?

If you moved less than 30 days ago, you must vote at your old precinct.

If you've moved more than 30 days ago and have not updated your information with the Board of Elections, you must go to the Board of Elections office to update your information, and then vote.

Address

2128 S Sterling Street
Suite 100
Morganton, NC 28655

2. I received 2 voter cards in the mail. Why? What should I do?

This probably indicates an error in our records, of which we need to become aware. Please send us both cards back, with a quick note explaining that both cards are for the same person, to:
Board of Elections
P.O. Box 798
Morganton, NC 28655-0798

We will research the situation, fix it and mail you a new card.

3. The mailman delivered a voter card to my house, but that person doesn't live here. What should I do?

Please return the voter card to us along with whatever information you have. If the individual has moved, we’ll try to contact them at the new address.

Failing that, or if the individual is deceased, we’ll try to remove them from the voter registration files. Either way, you’ll be doing us a big service by letting us know.

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

Yes, according to the North Carolina General Statute 163-166.8.

5. I’m legally blind; can someone accompany me in the voting booth?

Yes, anyone of your choice can assist you, except your employer or union agent. Also, one of the Precinct Judges can assist you.

6. Do I have to show I.D. at the Precinct to Vote?

North Carolina Law only requires ID if you did not provide the required information when you registered to vote (if by mail or voter registration drive).

7. Can I vote Absentee on Election Day?

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

8. Is it too late to request an absentee ballot?

There is a deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot. There is also a deadline to return the absentee ballot.  Call the Board of Elections office for more information at 828-764-9010.

9. 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 is sent to you as well. The Absentee Ballots will, of course, be mailed separately at the appropriate time.

10. I am at the wrong precinct; can I vote here anyway?

Recent law changes prevent ballots from being cast at the wrong precinct. The best practice is to call the Board of Elections before going to vote. They will be able to tell you where you need to go vote on election day.

11. Can I wear campaign clothing or take materials to vote?

Yes, as long as you don’t leave campaign materials or campaign while in the voting location. The polling place is checked regularly for campaign materials. If they are found, they are promptly discarded.

12. Are there any rules on where I can Campaign at a precinct?

North Carolina General Statute 163-147 prohibits loitering, congregating, distributing campaign material, or electioneering within 50 feet of the entrance to the polling place.

13. I am out of the county/country and I know there is an election today/soon, how can I vote?

f 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 "Is it too late to request an absentee ballot?" and "Do you have to request an absentee ballot for each election?" for more information on Absentee Ballots.

14. Who determines the order of the candidates listed on the ballot?

The State Board of Elections and General Statutes determine the name order on the ballot.

15. Do I have to show my ID at the polls?

You may be required to show ID the first time you vote in Burke County if you registered by mail, did not provide a valid identification number, and did not submit a copy of one of the following:

• A current and valid photo ID
• A current:
  • Bank statement
  • Government check or paycheck
  • A government document that shows your name and address as it appears on this application
  • Utility bill

16. How do I vote, in a Primary Election, if I am registered Unaffiliated?

When you arrive at your polling place you must choose to vote Republican, Democrat, or you can decline to choose.

Voting Options

• Declining to choose: You may only vote in the non-partisan races.
• Democrat: You may vote in the Democratic races and the non-partisan races.
• Republican: You may vote in the Republican races and the non-partisan races.

These limitations don’t apply during a November General Election, only in Primary Elections. In General Elections, you may vote for anyone on the ballot, regardless of party.

17. How are precinct boundaries determined?

Precinct Boundaries

The North Carolina General Statutes defines the procedures for mapping precincts and locating voting locations inside the precinct. We are required to take numerous criteria into account as we develop new precincts. The boundaries drawn must be contiguous and follow a recognized boundary such as a township line, census blocks or physical features such as major above-ground power lines, major footpaths, rail features, ridgelines, roads or streets or water or drainage features as certified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, county manager or city clerk.

Voting Locations

Voting locations must be inside or on a tract adjacent to the precinct. It must also fit certain criteria:

1. Americans with Disabilities Act compliant
2. Have ample parking and lighting
3. Be large enough to accommodate the voting equipment and polling place layout
4. The Traffic flow must be reviewed for safety and convenience.

We utilize as many public facilities as we possibly can to reduce rental cost but some areas, because of growth, have not caught up with the public demands such as schools or libraries.

Location Changes

When changing a voting location all of the criteria listed above is considered. After the Board of Elections staff completes its survey of the areas for consideration, the location changes are submitted to the Board of Elections members for approval or denial. The Board of Elections has the power to establish, define, provide, rearrange, discontinue, and combine election precincts as it may deem expedient, (GS 163-33(4)).

If the Board of Elections approves the location change or split of an existing precinct, the voters must be notified no later than 45 days prior to the next primary or election. Voters involved in any district or annexation changes are also notified by voter card of those changes.

Public Feedback

No matter what process is used to determine the precinct boundaries, not everyone will be happy with the outcome. We’ve learned this the hard way. There is, however, very little we can do with a phone complaint.

If you have any issues or concerns regarding the precinct locations, it needs to be in writing to the Burke Board of Elections, so that the matter can be fully explored and brought to some resolution when our Board is sitting in session. Our mailing address is:
Burke County Elections
P.O. Box 798
Morganton, NC 28655

18. How are members of the Board of Elections selected?

North Carolina General Statute 163-30 states The State chairman of each political party shall have the right to recommend to the State Board of Elections three registered voters in each county for appointment to the board of elections for that county. If such recommendations are received by the Board 15 or more days before the last Tuesday in June 1985, and each two years thereafter, it shall be the duty of the State Board of Elections to appoint the county boards from the names thus recommended.

The local political parties will submit three names to the State political party chairman.

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Elections - Voting Time & Location

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1. What are the voting hours for Election Day?

Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., per North Carolina General Statute 163-166.0.

2. If I am already in line when the precinct closes at 7:30 p.m., can I vote?

Yes, if you are in line prior to the close of the precinct, you may vote. If you show up after 7:30 p.m., you will not be allowed to vote.

3. Where is the Board of Elections located?

The Board of Elections Office is located at:

2128 S Sterling Street
Foothills Education Building
Morganton, NC 28655

4. Can I vote at the Board of Elections on Election Day?

No, you must vote at your precinct on Election Day.

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Elections - Absentee / Vote by Mail

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1. How do I request an absentee ballot?

Call our office at 828-764-9010. We will verify that you are registered to vote and that your address is correct. We will then send you a request form in the mail. Fill that out and return it to us.

2. I received an absentee request form in the mail but did not request one. Is this legitimate?

Yes, those are legitimate. Several voter related agencies and party affiliates are sending out absentee request forms using their mailing lists. Feel free to fill that out and send it back to us. If you prefer one from the Board of Elections, call us and we will take care of you.

3. I called and requested an absentee form but have not received it yet. Can you track it?

Unfortunately, we cannot track requests that are sent out. Once we receive your filled-out request, it is entered into the system and then we can verify that it has been returned.

4. I am not registered to vote or have not voted in years. Can I still request an absentee ballot?

Absolutely. Along with your absentee ballot request, we will send you a registration form to fill out and send back to us. It is imperative that the registration form be returned ASAP. The last day to register for the Nov. 8th 2022 election is October 14th @ 5:00pm.

5. What is the deadline to request an absentee ballot?

November 1st 2022 by 5:00 p.m. for registered voters

6. What is the deadline for my ballot to be returned?

If returned by mail, can be postmarked by Nov 8th 2022 & rec’d in our office by November 11th @ 5:00pm…  In person drop offs to our office must be done by November 8th @ 5:00pm

7. When will ballots be mailed out?

We will start mailing out ballots on September 4^th.

8. If I request an absentee ballot, but decide to go vote in person, can I do that?

Yes. Simply tear up the ballot that you receive in the mail. You can go to any of the early voting sites or your designated election day polling location.

9. I am registered as one party but prefer a candidate from another party in one particular office. Do I have to vote by my party, or can I vote for anyone?

In the general election, you may vote for anyone on the ballot. It is not party specific. That only applies in primary elections (i.e. March 2020).

10. What are the witness requirements for an absentee ballot?

The absentee ballot request does not require a witness. However, once you receive your actual ballot, you will have to have two (2) witnesses are required on the return absentee ballot envelope.  

11. Is there a drop box at the Board of Elections for returned ballots or forms?

No. Those must either be mailed back to us or returned to a staff member in the office or a poll worker at a precinct. May be returned by the voter or a near relative

12. Will I receive a confirmation that my request for a ballot has been received?

No. We do not mail out any confirmations after receiving your request. You may call our office to confirm though.