By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
Residents in the greater West End and Seven Lakes area looking to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election have numerous options and resources at their disposal.
The deadline to register to vote this November is Oct. 11. Moore County Director of Elections Towanna Dixon says folks can come to the Moore County Board of Elections, 700 Pinehurst Ave. in Carthage, or call (910) 947-3868 to request a registration form.
If registering before the deadline, you simply need to provide your address and the last four digits of your Social Security number for verification.
If you have an appointment at the DMV to get or renew your license before Oct. 11, you can also register to vote at that time.
Same-Day Registration
Those who miss the deadline have the option to do same-day voter registration during early voting. Because of the limited amount of time to do verification, those registering same-day must also provide a photo ID and a document like a utility bill that states their address.
Same-day registration voters should also be prepared to vote.
“A lot of people come in and they’re not ready to vote at that moment,or they choose not to vote at that moment” said Dixon. “They don’t realize that they can only come back and vote during the early voting time. They can’t leave and try to come back for Election Day.”
Dixon advises anyone wondering about their specific voting location to go to the Board of Elections website — moorecountync.gov/325/Board-of-Elections — and click on “Polling Places” and then “Find My Polling Place.” You can enter your address and get your location for Election Day.
Most Seven Lakes residents will vote at Seven Lakes Baptist Church, 1015 Seven Lakes Drive.
On Nov. 5, polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line at
7:30 p.m. will be permitted to vote. An announcement will be made that the polls are closed, and a poll worker will get in line behind the last person.
Early Voting Available
Those who don’t want to wait until Nov. 5 or can’t get to the polls that day may opt for early voting. There are two early voting locations in Moore County: the Moore County Ag Center, 707 Pinehurst Ave. in Carthage, or the Aberdeen Recreation Center, 301 Lake Park Crossing, Aberdeen.
Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 17, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. Hours are from 8 a.m to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Voters also have the opportunity to cast their ballots on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voting Absentee
Absentee voting requires three steps: a ballot request, receiving the ballot and returning the ballot.
Computer-savvy registered voters may want to use the absentee portal on the State Board of Elections website at www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail to request a ballot. This site also provides options to request absentee ballots from Military/Overseas Voter Services and accessible ballots for the visually impaired. A ballot packet will be mailed to you, which must be returned by election day, Nov. 5.
Absentee ballots can also be requested by registered voters by calling the Moore County Board of Elections. They can generate the application and mail it to you. This application must be mailed to the Moore County Board of Elections, P.O. Box 787, Carthage, NC 28327, or returned in person. A ballot packet will be mailed to you once your application is processed.
All absentee ballot requests, online or by phone, must be made no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. Dixon advises voters not to wait until the last minute when requesting absentee ballots.
Ballot packets provide detailed directions for how and when to return the ballots.
Volunteer Opportunities Available
As of Sept. 14, there were 77,017 registered voters in Moore County, which has 26 precincts. Currently, 320 Moore County residents have been recruited to volunteer as poll worker assistants. Volunteers are paid a flat $125 for Election Day. Those who help set up the day before receive additional pay.
Those interested in signing up to work can call the Moore County Board of Elections.
Do’s and Don’ts
When voting, bring a photo ID. Out-of-state photo IDs are accepted as long as the person has moved within 90 days of the election and is registered to vote. Free voter photo IDs can be made in person at the office in Carthage during office hours. Voters age 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
Familiarize yourself with the ballot and educate yourself on your voting district. Seven Lakes and West End precincts are in N.C. House District 78. Sample ballots can be found at www.moorecountync.gov/494/Sample-Ballots.
Note that early voters may see a poll worker write a number on their ballot that is valid for N.C. The number is for internal purposes to help the Board of Elections pull a ballot in specific cases of death prior to Election Day or a residency challenge. It does not disqualify a ballot or alert anyone to how the individual voted.
In addition:
* Do be respectful of others and exercise decorum.
* Do not take a picture of your ballot.
* Do reach out to the Board of Elections with any questions or concerns.
“I have an open door policy,” Dixon said. “You’re always welcome to call and speak with me, good or bad. We always want to know what’s going on, and we want to make sure that the voters feel comfortable with the process.”
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
