HOUSE BILL 589 SUMMARIZED

ABSENTEE VOTING (effective January 1, 2014)

None of the persons listed below may sign as a witness or assist a voter: o An owner, manager, director, employee of the hospital, clinic, nursing home, or rest home in which the voter is a patient or resident; o An individual who holds any elective office under the US, NC, or any political subdivision of NC; o An individual who is a candidate for nomination or election; o An individual who holds any office in a State, congressional district, county, or precinct political party or organization, or who is a campaign manager or treasurer for any candidate or political party. Absentee ballot request: o An absentee request is only valid if it is on a form created by the State Board and signed by the voter, near relative or legal guardian. The form will be available at elections offices and online; the form may be reproduced. Absentee ballot return: o Absentee envelopes require two witnesses or one notary public. Envelopes will also include a space for the name and address of any person assisting the voter. o Ballots must be received by the County Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m. the day of the primary or election. If ballots are received after this time, they shall not be counted unless one of the following applies: Federal law so requires. The ballots are postmarked on or before the day of the primary or election and are received by the County Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m. three days after the election. Military and overseas ballots received by the County Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m. the business day before the county canvass. o Ballots may be delivered to an election official at a One-Stop voting site.

COMPENSATION FOR REGISTRATION (effective January 1, 2014)

It is a class 2 misdemeanor for any person to be compensated based on the number of forms submitted for registering persons to vote.

ONE-STOP VOTING (effective January 1, 2014)

One-Stop voting to begin no earlier than the second Thursday before an election and close not later than 1:00 P.M. the last Saturday before that election. Any plan adopted by the County or State Board of Elections shall offer the same days and hours of operation for all sites in that county for that election. This does not apply to the Elections Office or an in-lieu of site. For elections which do not include a presidential candidate on the ballot, the county shall ensure that at least the same number of hours offered in 2010 is offered through a combination of hours and number of One-Stop sites during the Primary or General Election, correspondingly. For elections which include a presidential candidate on the ballot, the county shall ensure that at least the same number of hours offered in 2012 is offered through a combination of hours and number of One-Stop sites during the Primary or General Election, correspondingly. A County Board of Elections by unanimous vote may submit a request to the State Board to reduce the number of hours established above.

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HOUSE BILL 589 SUMMARIZED

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY (effective January 1, 2014)
If SC holds its presidential primary before March 15th, the NC presidential preference primary shall be held on the Tuesday after the first SC presidential primary of that year.

SAME-DAY REGISTRATION ELIMINATED (effective January 1, 2014)

In-person registration and voting will no longer be allowed at One-Stop sites; address and name changes only.

VOTE THE PERSON NOT THE PARTY (effective January 1, 2014)

No Straight-Party Voting Ballots shall not contain any place that allows a voter with one mark to vote for the candidates of a party for more than one office.

VOTING IN INCORRECT PRECINCT (effective January 1, 2014)

The County Board of Elections shall not count provisional ballots if the voter did not vote in the proper precinct, including a central location.

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HOUSE BILL 589 SUMMARIZED

PHOTO ID (effective January 1, 2016)
Every voter, voting in person, must present photo ID before voting. The photo ID must have a printed expiration date and be unexpired. o NC drivers license, including a learner's permit or a provisional license. o Special ID card for nonoperators. o US passport. o US military ID card; not required to have an expiration or issuance date. If it has an issuance date, acceptable if issued not more than eight years before voting. o Veterans ID card; not required to have an expiration or issuance date. If it has an issuance date, acceptable if issued not more than eight years before voting. o Tribal enrollment card from a federally recognized tribe. Not required to have an expiration or issuance date. If it has an issuance date, acceptable if issued not more than eight years before voting. o Tribal enrollment card from a tribe recognized by NC. o Drivers license or nonoperators ID issued by another state, District of Columbia, or territory of the US; only if the voter's registration was within 90 days of the election. Exceptions: o Voters 70 years or over may present an expired photo ID that was unexpired on the voter's 70th birthday. o Curbside voters may present photo ID or a copy of one of the following that shows the voters name and address: current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document. o Voters who have a religious objection to being photographed and filed a declaration with the Elections Office at least 25 days before the election must present a copy of one of the following that shows the voters name and address: current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document. o Victims of a natural disaster (with a disaster declaration by the President or Governor) occurring 60 days before the election upon submission of a completed form at the time of voting. If the judges at the polling place unanimously agree the photo ID does not bear any resemblance to the voter, they may vote a provisional ballot. Any voter who does not present ID may vote a provisional ballot. In order for their ballot to be counted provisional voters (cast due to photo ID issues) must appear in person at the County Board of Elections by noon the day before canvass and do one of the following: o Present photo ID that bears a resemblance to the voter; or, o Present a copy of one of the following documents that shows the name and address of the voter: current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document and declare a religious objection to being photographed. The fee for a special ID card does not apply if the applicant: o Is legally blind. o Is at least 70 years old. o Has been issued a drivers license which is cancelled due to physical/mental disability or disease. o Is homeless and presents a letter from the director of a homeless shelter/facility verifying the person is homeless. o Is registered to vote in NC, does not have acceptable photo ID, and signs a declaration stating they do not have other acceptable photo ID. o Is registering at the DMV, does not have acceptable photo ID, and signs a declaration stating this.

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