Orange County NC Website
7 <br /> 1 • Part 3 of HB 589 states a registered voter may obtain a special identification card without <br /> 2 paying a fee if the registered voter signs a declaration stating they do not have other photo <br /> 3 identification acceptable. The fee to obtain a special identification card does not apply if the <br /> 4 applicant is legally blind, at least 70 years old or is homeless. Voters cannot be charged any <br /> 5 fees to obtain a certified copy of birth certificate or marriage license necessary to obtain <br /> 6 acceptable photo identification. Registered voters will be provided with this information. <br /> 7 • Part 6 of HB 589 states that at any election between May 1, 2014 and January 1, 2016, any <br /> 8 registered voter may present photo identification but is not required to do so. Voters shall be <br /> 9 notified that photo identification will be needed to vote beginning in 2016 and will be asked if <br /> 10 that voter has one of the approved forms of identification. If the voter indicates he or she does <br /> 11 not have the appropriate photo identification for voting, that voter will be asked to sign an <br /> 12 acknowledgement of the requirement and be given a list of approved forms of identification and <br /> 13 information on how to obtain such. The list of names of those voters who signed an <br /> 14 acknowledgment will be public record. <br /> 15 • Boards of Elections are not responsible for issuing IDs at this time. The Orange County <br /> 16 Board of Elections is committed to work diligently to ensure the public is aware of the <br /> 17 requirements and will assist voters as much as possible to obtain the necessary identification. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 Commissioner Rich referred to the policy on voting in the wrong precinct. She noted <br /> 20 that the vote will be allowed but not counted. She asked why these people should vote. <br /> 21 Tracy Reams said the law says voters cannot be turned away, but the vote will not be <br /> 22 able to be counted. She said this will be a change from the current law which allowed <br /> 23 provisional voting. <br /> 24 Commissioner Gordon asked if the voters will be told about this at the polling site. <br /> 25 Tracy Reams said the voter would be advised of their correct precinct and encouraged <br /> 26 to go to that location to vote. <br /> 27 She said the effective date of this change is January 1, 2014. <br /> 28 Commissioner Pelissier asked about the changes made to challenges. <br /> 29 Tracy Reams said anyone from the state with a legitimate basis can make a challenge. <br /> 30 Commissioner Pelissier asked for an explanation of what happens if a challenge is <br /> 31 made on Election Day. <br /> 32 Tracy Reams said challenges on Election Day will be heard and decided immediately. <br /> 33 Chair Jacobs asked how often voters are notified of changes and the correct location of <br /> 34 their precinct. <br /> 35 Tracy Reams said Public Service Announcements will be made throughout this process, <br /> 36 through print, radio and online information. She said any voter that makes a change or has any <br /> 37 contact with the voting office will also be sent a card with voting information and location. <br /> 38 Chair Jacobs asked if there is tracking of who cast provisional ballots in the wrong <br /> 39 precinct. <br /> 40 Tracy Reams said yes. <br /> 41 Chair Jacob asked if contact is made to notify these voters of the correct voting site. <br /> 42 Tracy Reams said there is no extra contact with the voter, as this is beyond her purview. <br /> 43 Commissioner Rich asked if any of the voting precincts have closed or changed from <br /> 44 the last election. <br /> 45 Tracy Reams said Estes Hills and Church of Reconciliation will be changes for this <br /> 46 voting period. She said legal notices have been put up in the newspapers and individual cards <br /> 47 have also been sent to voters, making them aware of these changes. <br /> 48 Chair Jacobs asked if signs will be posted at the old locations. <br /> 49 Tracy Reams said yes. <br />