There’s no doubt that 2020 has been quite the ride and there’s a lot of information out there on how to safely vote during a pandemic. Oaks & Spokes usually leads a bike-to-vote ride during early voting. It’s one of our favorite rides, and we’re totally bummed to skip it this year. During the COVID pandemic, we’re not hosting any in-person events, but we still strongly encourage you to vote!!
We put together this blog to help folks make the best decision on how to cast their vote and do so safely. Keep reading for key dates and Need-to-know’s regarding voting in person and by mail.
Key Dates
Early Voting
October 15th – October 31st
Check here for early voting locations.
Election Day
Tuesday, November 3rd
Check here to find your polling place for day-of voting.
Request Absentee/Vote-by-mail ballot
Can be requested up to October 27th. More info below.
Registering to vote
What if I’m not registered to vote?
No worries! Go here to register.
How do I check if I’m registered?
Go here to check your registration status.
In-person voting
Due to the pandemic it’s recommended to avoid in-person voting if at all possible. We have thorough information on mail-in-voting below. If you decide to vote in person, please take the proper precautions and follow these simple tips:
- Vote early
Early voting polling stations tend to have smaller crowds, which improves social distancing and makes the voting experience safer. By voting early you not only beat the crowds it also reduces the number of people at the polls on November 3rd. - Wear a mask
All polling stations will require a mask to be worn while inside the building. Please be sure to wear yours. - Wash your hands, bring hand sanitizer and/or wear disposable gloves
Once you have finished voting, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid picking up coronavirus from surfaces you touched while voting. - Be patient
Polling stations must take extra precautions to ensure everything possible is being done to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Be patient with the volunteers running these polling stations, they are risking their lives to ensure folks can still vote.
Mail-in-voting Q and A
What’s the last day I have to request an absentee ballot?
The request form must be received in the county board of elections office by 5 p.m. October 27, but don’t wait until then to request it! You can request an absentee ballot through their new online portal.
When will I receive my absentee ballot?
Beginning September 4, 2020, ballots will be mailed by county boards of elections to voters who have returned an absentee request form.
Sign your ballot!
Every election season tens of thousands of ballots are thrown out across our country due to missing a signature or the signature couldn’t be verified. Sign your ballot clearly.
Where do I submit my completed ballot if I’m in Raleigh?
Wake County voters can mail their ballots to:
Wake County Board of Elections
PO BOX 695 RALEIGH, NC 27602-0695
How many stamps to I need to mail in my ballot?
One Forever stamp.
In person delivery:
If you would prefer to avoid mailing in your ballot, you can hand deliver it to:
Board of Elections Operations Center
1200 N. New Hope Rd. Raleigh, NC 27610
How do I check if my ballot was received?
The Voter Search tool can be used to check the status of your ballot. Once you’ve pulled up your record, expand the Voter History section. Ballots are arranged from newest to oldest.
What else do I need to know about returning my completed ballot?
The completed ballot must be returned to the county board of elections no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day.
Absentee ballots received after 5 p.m. on Election Day will be timely only if they are received by mail no later than 5 p.m. on the third day following the date of the election, and postmarked on or before Election Day.
If you would like to learn more regarding absentee voting, additional resources can be found here.
I voted sticker image curtesy of Dwight Burdette