RALEIGH, N.C. — With Election Day just a few weeks away — which coincides with this year’s N.C. Baptist annual meeting — in-person early voting is set to begin across North Carolina this week.
Beginning Thursday, Oct. 17 and running through Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m., voters will be able to cast ballots at any early voting site in the county where they are registered to vote. Early voting days and times vary by county. The N.C. State Board of Elections website has a complete list of in-person early voting sites and hours as well as a searchable database by county.
Voters do not have to vote at a specific precinct until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The voter registration deadline for most individuals wishing to cast ballots on Nov. 5 was Friday, Oct. 11. However, during the in-person early voting period, individuals can register at the polling place and vote immediately afterward through a process known as “same-day registration.”
Because the second day of this year’s Baptist State Convention of North Carolina annual meeting falls on Election Day, N.C. Baptists are being encouraged to take advantage of early voting options.
This year’s N.C. Baptist annual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4-5 at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
“We want you to exercise your right to vote and participate in this year’s annual meeting,” said Todd Unzicker, executive director-treasurer of N.C. Baptists. “That’s why we are encouraging all N.C. Baptists to take advantage of early voting in your community.”
Organizers of this year’s annual meeting have adopted a streamlined schedule that does not include an evening session on Tuesday, Nov. 5. This year’s meeting is scheduled to adjourn at approximately 4 p.m. that day.
Bob Lowman, chairman of the Committee on Convention Meetings which plans the annual meeting, said this year’s committee decided to adjust the schedule in light of Election Day.
“The committee discussed and debated making this year’s meeting shorter, and a primary reason for the decision to end earlier than usual is that Tuesday, Nov. 5, is a significant Election Day,” said Lowman, who serves as executive director of the Metrolina Baptist Association in Charlotte. “So while we encourage those attending the convention to vote early, the schedule will make it possible for many to return home before too late on Nov. 5. Next year’s committee may decide to return to the longer format, but for this year, we made this exception to shorten the convention meeting.”
Another form of early voting is absentee-by-mail voting, which is underway across the state. In-state registered voters may request an absentee ballot by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Absentee ballot deadlines differ for military personnel and overseas citizens. Absentee ballots may be requested through the N.C. State Board of Elections’ online portal.
Whether voting in-person or by mail, N.C. voters must present a photo ID before casting ballots. An overview of the voter ID requirements is available on the N.C. State Board of Elections’ website.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the N.C. State Board of Elections has also established a section on its website for information and updates for voters in western North Carolina affected by the storm.
