Voting was brisk on the first day of early voting in Macon County. Some voters said their wait on the inside of the Robert C. Carpenter community building was nearly an hour as citizens lined up to cast their vote. Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault released the results of the first day of early voting with 1,608 total for Franklin and Highlands; Franklin – 1,277, Highlands – 331.
State election officials held a press conference at Oct. 17 outside of an early voting site in Black Mountain to discuss the start of early voting and to ensure voters in Western North Carolina they have the information they need to vote in the 2024 general election.
In-person early voting began Oct. 17 at 419 sites statewide, including 76 sites in the 25 counties most affected by Hurricane Helene. Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections was on hand to answer questions and provide tips for voters:
1) Early voting locations. Eligible voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. In Macon County, early voting is held at the Robert C. Carpenter Building at 1288 Georgia Road. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays through Nov. 1, 8 a.m to 3 p.m.
2) Candidate info. Sample ballots are available at maconnc.org under the Board of Elections tab. Being familiar with your ballot choices will help your voting experience go more smoothly.
3) Bring your photo ID. Voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Most voters will show their driver’s license, but many other forms of photo ID will be accepted. Voters who do not have photo ID can meet the photo ID requirement by either (1) filling out a form explaining why they are unable to show ID, or (2) showing their ID at the county board of elections office by 5 p.m. Nov. 14. More information about the photo ID requirement is available at BringItNC.gov.
4) Register to vote. The online voter registration deadline was Oct. 11. But any North Carolinian who is eligible to vote may still register and vote in person during the early voting period. Registrants must provide proof of their residence address, which can be a driver’s license or other government document, paycheck, utility bill, or bank statement.
6) Updating registration. During early voting, registered voters may update their name or address within the same county, if necessary.
7) Absentee ballot drop-off. Voters who vote by absentee ballot can return it by mail or hand it to an election official at an early voting site in their county. They can also drop it off in person to their county board of elections office. Voters registered in the 25 counties in the Helene disaster area in Western North Carolina may return their absentee ballot to any early voting site in the state during early voting hours. Ballots will be kept secure and delivered to the voter’s county board of elections for processing.
8) Voting in person instead of absentee. Voters who requested an absentee ballot but have not yet returned it may choose instead to vote in person during the early voting period or on Election Day, Nov. 5. Voters may discard the absentee ballot and do not need to bring it to a voting site.
9) Peace at the polls. All voters should respect the rights of others to participate in the election. Election officials are trained to quickly address incidents that might interfere with a voter’s ability to cast their ballot.
10) Voters in need of assistance. Voters in need of assistance may bring an eligible person to help them enter and exit the polling place or to help them complete their ballot according to the voter’s instructions. Election officials are also available to help voters. Curbside voting is also available for voters unable to enter the voting site.
Important Election Dates
- Friday, Oct. 11, 5 p.m. – Voter registration deadline
- Thursday, Oct. 17 – One-Stop Voting begins
- Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Last day to request an absentee by mail ballot
- Saturday, Nov. 2, 3 p.m. – One-Stop Voting ends
- Tuesday, Nov. 5, 5 p.m. – Last day to return an absentee by mail ballot
- Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – General Election Day