As the March primary gets closer, the Anson County Board of Elections is working to hire poll workers and educate voters about the changes the new year brought to how they can cast their ballot.
During its Jan. 12 meeting, the board worked on its list of poll workers, assigning each to different county precincts, but the county still needs more.
Poll workers are expected to be computer-literate, attend training sessions and serve the days they are assigned, among other requirements. Precinct voting sites each have a chief judge, two party judges and assistants present, according to the elections board.
Poll worker applications are available at the Anson County Board of Elections, located at 402 Morven Road, Wadesboro. To learn more, visit the office, email anson.boe@ncsbe.gov or call 704-994-3223.
VOTER ID
Elections Director Steve Adams said voter education will be particularly important this year with the changes made to voting.
Starting this year, voters are required to present a photo ID when they show up at the polls.
Poll workers will accept a driver’s license, passport, Veteran’s Affairs card, military ID and some tribal enrollment cards and identification cards, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections.
To get an ID card, voters can go to their local N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles office.
In an email, Adams said the DMV will require two documents proving the applicant’s age and identity, such as a birth certificate or tax papers, as well as his or her Social Security number and something to prove state residency, such as a voter registration card or utility bill.
Voters who are unable to get a card and have been excused for having a “reasonable impairment” will be able to vote without the ID, and those who cannot produce proof of North Carolina residency at the DMV may be able to fill out an affidavit of residency instead.
To learn more about the voter ID requirement, visit www.voterid.nc.gov or contact the Anson County Board of Elections.
PRIMARY DATE
Adams also brought up the concern that the March primary date may be confusing to voters.
Election day will be on March 15. The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. that day and voters will report to their respective precinct polling places.
Early voting will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 3-4, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 5, and from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 7-11. The last day of early voting will be from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 12.
Early voting will be held at the Anson County Board of Elections.
The last day to register to vote or switch parties is Feb. 19.
To learn more, visit the Anson County Board of Elections, email anson.boe@ncsbe.gov or call 704-994-3223.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.