Agenda - 11-05-2013 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 1 Tracy Reams said another change is the same day voter registration. She said voters 2 will no longer be able to register and vote during the early voting period. She said that the only 3 option is to vote with a provisional ballot if the deadline is missed, and this vote will not be 4 counted. 5 Commissioner Rich asked why provisional ballots are being provided if they will not be 6 counted. 7 Tracy Reams said this is the law. 8 Commissioner Dorosin said that the provisional ballot provides an opportunity for 9 someone to vote if they feel a mistake has been made. In this case there is time to check on 10 the issue and have the vote counted if the person was actually registered. 11 Commissioner Rich asked if the Board of Elections has more staff in the face of these 12 new Taws. 13 Tracy Reams said no. 14 Commissioner Pelissier referred to the change in the method of requesting ballots. She 15 asked if voters who send handwritten requests will be notified quickly of the need for a form. 16 Tracy Reams said these voters will immediately be sent a request form. She said this 17 form will also be available on the website. 18 Tracy Reams said straight party voting will no longer be an option. 19 She said the Presidential Primary date will now change. She said the North Carolina 20 date will be based on the South Carolina primary date; which means the primary will most likely 21 be in February or March. She said this puts early voting over the Christmas holidays, which 22 impacts staff and creates additional cost by having two different primary voting dates. 23 Commissioner McKee asked how much additional cost will be added with these 24 changes. 25 Tracy Reams said she would gather that information and send it to the Board. She said 26 there would be significant costs. 27 Commissioner Pelissier asked about early voting hours. 28 Tracy Reams said early voting will now begin on the 2nd Thursday before Election Day, 29 which reduces the early voting days. She said this means that the same number of hours will 30 have to be fit into fewer days. 31 She reviewed the new guidelines on voter identification, as outlined above and in the 32 abstract. 33 Commissioner McKee asked about the wording regarding assistance with attaining voter 34 identification. 35 Tracy Reams said staff will be required to assist voters with obtaining the means to get 36 proper voter ID, such as a birth certificate or marriage license. 37 Commissioner Price asked if a voter registration card will be required. 38 Tracy Reams said no. 39 Commissioner Gordon noted the differences in required identification for voting in 40 person versus absentee voting, and she asked for clarification on this. 41 Tracy Reams said voters who vote in person will be required to provide photo 42 identification, but curbside voting will only require documentation such as a bank or utility 43 statement. She said that absentee voting will require a social security number, driver's license, 44 or special identification number. 45 Commissioner Gordon asked if there had to be any special reasons for requesting an 46 absentee ballot. 47 Tracy Reams said this is considered a no excuse absentee ballot and voters do not 48 need a reason. 49 Commissioner Gordon asked about curbside voting.