Saturday, Nov. 03, 2012

For voters, it’s time to choose

What you need to know for Election Day

The television ads are about to end. The torrent of direct mail is finally dissipating. The wind and rain from Hurricane Sandy has thankfully passed through.

All that’s left is for voters to head for the polls Tuesday to choose a president, governor and dozens of representatives and judges. They also will decide on a $200 million bond request for Wake Technical Community College.

More than 2.1 million people in North Carolina have already voted, state figures show. The popularity of early voting could result in shorter lines at the polls, said Cherie Poucher, director of the Wake County Board of Elections.

But the busiest times on Election Day remain the same as in past elections: early morning, during the lunch hour and after 5 p.m.

“If they come first thing in the morning before the polls open and there are several hundred people in line, it will take awhile to process them,” Poucher said in an email.

Here’s a guide with information from the Wake County Board of Elections to help you prepare for Election Day.

When can you vote?

The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

What do you need to bring?

You are not required to show your voter card. Similarly, you will not be required to show ID before voting, as long as you provided a valid ID number on your voter registration application.

Just in case, first-time voters are encouraged to bring a current form of ID that lists name and residence address.

How does the voting process work?

You will be required to verbally state your name and current address.

You will carry your ballot to a voting booth, where you will mark your choices by filling in bubbles with the ink pen provided. After marking your ballot, you will place it into an optical scanner.

The machine will read and count your choices, then it will store your ballot in a locked bin under the scanner.

Can you go to any polling place in Wake County?

Go to your assigned polling place, because it is the only place where your name will be printed in the poll book.

Your assigned polling place will also ensure that you receive a ballot containing the contests that match the jurisdictions of your residence address.

What if you moved since the last election and did not update your address?

If you are a registered voter who moved within Wake County 30 or more days prior to an election and failed to notify the Board of Elections, it is a violation of the law to return to your old precinct and vote.

Call the Board of Elections to find out your new polling place. You will be able to vote at your new polling place, but you will first need to fill out a form to update your address.

The phone number is 919-856-6240.

How can you vote if physically unable to enter the polling place?

Curbside voting is available at all Wake County polling places. To be eligible, you must be unable to enter the polling place because of or physical disability. Look for the parking spaces near the polling place entrance labeled “Curbside Voting.”

Poll workers monitor the parking area and will walk over to your car when you park.