Primary elections are here, and early voting started Thursday. The various parties — Democratic, Libertarian and Republican — use the primary to select their party’s nominees for a variety of offices. Primary election in-person voting day is Tuesday, March 5. The party nominees will go against each other in the General Election set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
In Greene County, early voting began at 8 a.m. on Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Greene County Farmers Market at 470 N.C. 13, Snow Hill. Early voting will continues today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 25, from 1-4 p.m., Feb. 26 through March 1 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on March 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In Pitt County, early voting began at 8 a.m. this past Thursday and will continue at five locations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Feb. 25, from 1-5 p.m.
The five locations in Pitt County include the Ag Center, 403 Government Circle, Greenville; Community Schools Building, 4561 County Home Road, Greenville; County Office Building, 1717 W. Fifth St., Greenville; ECU Student Center, 501 E. 10th St., Greenville; and Winterville Fire Station, 2593 Railroad St., Winterville.
Voters in North Carolina originally approved the photo ID requirement in 2018 in a referendum, with 55 percent approval of the electorate. Despite that, Democrats kept the law tied up in court battles until it finally passed legal muster after five long years.
Voters this year will be required to furnish a valid photo identification at the polls. Those without an ID can get one at the DMV or at the Board of Elections in their county.
For those who don’t have an ID, there are plenty of exceptions that, in my opinion, really water down the requirements. If you do not have a valid photo ID card on Election Day, you may still vote and have your vote counted by signing an affidavit of reasonable impediment (or “Photo ID Exception Form”) as to why you have not presented a valid photo ID. According to the Pitt County Board of Elections website, the form is also used “if you have a religious objection to being photographed or are a victim of a recently declared natural disaster.”
Oh, and if you have an ID but forgot to bring it to the polls, you will be allowed to vote. You then have nine days after Election Day to bring that ID to the elections’ office before 5 p.m. Generally, the official canvass of votes is finalized on the 10th day.
Voting by mail requires a voter to provide a photocopy of his/her valid photo ID at the time the ballot is mailed. Such ballots are required to be witnessed by two individuals.
Those who argue that North Carolina’s Voter ID law is too burdensome and is aimed at preventing minorities from voting apparently don’t know how the law works. With the exceptions we have noted in this column to presenting a photo ID, it is obvious everyone is able to vote if they simply show up at the polls. Likewise, it is easy for people, who already have photo identification for many private and government services, to get a free photo ID.
Use this link to find out the types of photo ID that may be used at the polls: www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id.
You may use this link to see how you can obtain a free photo ID: www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id/get-free-voter-photo-id.
Photo ID was utilized in last November’s municipal elections. I’m not aware of any issues or complaints that occurred during that process. In my view, the upcoming elections should go flawlessly.
I encourage local voters to make certain they vote, either early or on Election Day. There is no excuse not to.
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