Minutes 09-17-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Jacob asked if contact is made to notify these voters of the correct voting site. Tracy Reams said there is no extra contact with the voter, as this is beyond her purview. Commissioner Rich asked if any of the voting precincts have closed or changed from the last election. Tracy Reams said Estes Hills and Church of Reconciliation will be changes for this voting period. She said legal notices have been put up in the newspapers and individual cards have also been sent to voters, making them aware of these changes. Chair Jacobs asked if signs will be posted at the old locations. Tracy Reams said yes. Tracy Reams said another change is the same day voter registration. She said voters will no longer be able to register and vote during the early voting period. She said that the only option is to vote with a provisional ballot if the deadline is missed, and this vote will not be counted. Commissioner Rich asked why provisional ballots are being provided if they will not be counted. Tracy Reams said this is the law. Commissioner Dorosin said that the provisional ballot provides an opportunity for someone to vote if they feel a mistake has been made. In this case there is time to check on the issue and have the vote counted if the person was actually registered. Commissioner Rich asked if the Board of Elections has more staff in the face of these new laws. Tracy Reams said no. Commissioner Pelissier referred to the change in the method of requesting ballots. She asked if voters who send handwritten requests will be notified quickly of the need for a form. Tracy Reams said these voters will immediately be sent a request form. She said this form will also be available on the website. Tracy Reams said straight party voting will no longer be an option. She said the Presidential Primary date will now change. She said the North Carolina date will be based on the South Carolina primary date; which means the primary will most likely be in February or March. She said this puts early voting over the Christmas holidays, which impacts staff and creates additional cost by having two different primary voting dates. Commissioner McKee asked how much additional cost will be added with these changes. Tracy Reams said she would gather that information and send it to the Board. She said there would be significant costs. Commissioner Pelissier asked about early voting hours. Tracy Reams said early voting will now begin on the 2nd Thursday before Election Day, which reduces the early voting days. She said this means that the same number of hours will have to be fit into fewer days. She reviewed the new guidelines on voter identification, as outlined above and in the abstract. Commissioner McKee asked about the wording regarding assistance with attaining voter identification. Tracy Reams said staff will be required to assist voters with obtaining the means to get proper voter ID, such as a birth certificate or marriage license. Commissioner Price asked if a voter registration card will be required. Tracy Reams said no. Commissioner Gordon noted the differences in required identification for voting in person versus absentee voting, and she asked for clarification on this.