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Why did we create this guide?
This guide provides a fully accessible option for evaluating candidates in the North Carolina 2020 Primary Election. Disability Rights North Carolina asked all candidates in every primary race a selection of disability-focused questions, specific to each office.
What’s in the guide?
Answers from North Carolina’s 2020 primary candidates on topics that affect your life, information on how to vote, and tips for voting. Disability Rights North Carolina asked the candidates questions about the topics that affect your life. Disability Rights NC tried to connect with all the 2020 primary candidates, but was unable to do so. This guide contains all the responses we received by the print deadline.
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Two Elections in 2020
The primary election is first, followed by the general election. You can vote early for the 2020 primary from February 13th through February 29th, or you can vote using an absentee ballot.
In the primary election, candidates compete against other candidates in their own political party. The primary election is the first step in winning an election. The candidate that wins the primary election will compete in the general election.
In the general election, candidates compete against the candidates in other political parties. Registered voters have the opportunity to select a political party. Voters who chose a party will receive that party’s primary ballot. Voters who did not choose a party, sometimes called “unaffiliated” voters, may choose which party’s primary ballot they want.
In North Carolina, the primary election took place on March 3, 2020.
This guide has been updated to reflect primary results, and will continue to be updated as needed.
The General Election Voter Guide will be available in September 2020.
3 Ways to Vote
1. During Early Voting – Feb. 13 – Feb. 29th
Voting at an early voting site in your county is generally the best option because the early voting lines are not as long as the lines on Election Day. You should definitely use early voting if you have moved or not voted in several years because you may need to re-register to vote. The option to register to vote and cast your ballot on the same day is only available during early voting at early voting sites. To find your early voting site, contact your local county board of elections.
2. On Election Day – March 3rd
On Election Day go, to your precinct’s polling place. To find it, call 866-522-4723 or use the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ online polling place lookup tool. Polls are open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. If you’re in line to vote by 7:30 pm, stay in line—you will be allowed to vote. If you go to the wrong polling place in your county, ask to use a provisional ballot.
3. By Mail-in Absentee Ballot
Any registered voter may vote by mail. First, submit an absentee ballot request form to your county board of elections by February 25th. You will then be mailed your absentee ballot. Complete the absentee ballot in the presence of witnesses and mail it back to the elections office by March 3rd.
Voting Tips
- No photo ID is needed to vote in the 2020 primary election. The poll worker will ask you to state your name and address, and to sign in.
- If you are planning to move, be sure to register at your current address by February 7, 2020. If you miss the February 7th deadline, you can register and vote at any Early Voting center before Election Day.
- Any voter in a county can get help inside the poll from a “near family” member (someone closer than a cousin). Voters with a disability (including those with difficulty reading) can get help from anyone, except their employer or union agent.
- You don’t lose your right to vote if you have a traffic ticket, bankruptcy, civil fine, misdemeanor, or outstanding warrant.
- People convicted of a felony in North Carolina or any state may register to vote after serving their complete sentence, including probation. No special document is needed, just register to vote.
- Multipartisan Assistance Teams (MATs) are provided by the local boards of election to help voters who live in certain types of facilities vote via absentee ballot during an election. MAT members are appointed by each county’s local board of elections and are completely impartial. They can help voters request a ballot, complete their ballot, and witness the vote. MATs help voters with disabilities vote for their candidate of choice in a confidential manner. Contact your local county board of elections for more information.
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The full version of the guide in audio format is available as a podcast! You can listen to the full voter guide in English as a podcast by clicking the images below:
To begin reading more about each candidate, please select a link below.
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