[Durham INC] Key help for 49, 000 outstanding absentee voter ballots in NC, Today only

[Debra Hawkins]

(Feel free to share/cross-post if wished)--  For anyone with an absentee
ballot not yet back to the Board of Elections, here are 3 vital help tips,
if interested.  

1. 9 Am - 5 Pm Tuesday - You can avoid any concerns with mail service by
driving/walking (or having close family member drive/walk) your completed
and sealed/signed absentee ballot directly to Board of Elections
headquarters; weather permitting this can be done outside at their marquee
tent. Social distancing, staff PPE use are in place. 

2. Until 5pm Tuesday: If mailing you may wish to go to a post office to
ask/watch your ballot receive its postmark dated Tuesday. Mail (ballots) may
not be postmarked the same day they are collected or placed for collection,
and not all houses will be visited Tuesday if there is no mail to deliver
(reports are saying many thousands of pieces of mail are not postmarked same
day if not requested). Your ballot must have a postmark by close of postal
services (5pm) Tuesday to be counted. And received by the board of elections
by Nov 12. Delays in delivery are also being reported in NC. 

3. 6:30 Am to 7:30 Pm Tuesday: You may still vote at your own precinct on
Tuesday even if you have an absentee ballot not yet received by the board of
elections, either inside the voting enclosure, or if you have a medical
concern, via curbside voting from 6:30 Am to 7:30 Pm. You don't have to
bring the absentee ballot with you. Once you've voted, it will be suspended
in the polling book (you can destroy/dispose of it at home afterward).  If
outside your precinct you may always request and be allowed to vote a
provisional ballot. These all have the presidential race, but outside your
precinct they may not have the ballot type for all your other district
races. If you are in line at 7:30 pm (or curbside) you will still get to
access the voting services. Social distance/cleansing/staff PPE use are in
place for this service. 

Curbside voting can accommodate several voters (3 per poll worker) and
caregivers/drivers/translators may assist the voter and vote as well. In
addition, free rides for voters to get to the polls (check about curbside
vote option) are being offered by Durham Drives - go to
www.durhamDrives.org, email info at durhamdrives.org or call 919-809-9242. 

As always, check with the Board of Elections (open 9 - 5 pm tomorrow for
enquiries, hit option #2 for absentee ballot enquiries) online or by phone
as you make your plans. All details are subject to change. 

1. Board of Elections website, office location & telephone contact page:
https://www.dcovotes.com/about-us/contact-us 
 
2. Polling locations and changes for tomorrow voting day: 
https://www.dcovotes.com/voters/voting/polling-locations