1. PREPARING FOR VOTER ID IN 2016
North Carolina
PREPARING FOR VOTER ID IN 2016
NC DIRECTOR’S CONFERENCE
The voter outreach section provides information about voting laws and photo ID, and assists persons who need help getting a photo ID for voting.
This presentation covers the photo ID requirements for voting in 2016, the exceptions to the law. We will also cover what we are doing to help people, and give you some information on how you can help.
NC State Board of Elections
Ted Fitzgerald – Lead Voter Outreach Specialist
Jennifer Faulkner – Outreach Specialist
Dr. Lee Cooley – Outreach Specialist

2. This presentation is intended for general informational purposes only.
Please visit or contact the NC State Board of Elections for more complete information.
Please note that information contained in this presentation is not comprehensive and you should go the website contact NCSBE for more complete information.

3. 2016 ELECTION will be a big year!
Presidential Preference Primary
May Primary & Runoffs
General Election in November
US President, US Senate, NC Governor, and Local Races.
National Attention for NC!
Voter ID goes into effect.
The 2016 election season will be very busy for the State, County, and voters!
This is the first year since 1988 that we will hold a Presidential Preference Primary. Can anyone name the presidential candidate selected in 1988? A: Mike Dukakis & Geo. Bush. (Jesse Jackson, Gore, Biden, Hart, Dole were also on the ballot)
The regular primary in May, runoffs in June.
Voters will be electing a new US President, US Senator, Governor, and all the local races.
NC will be considered a “swing state”. This will mean national attention for NC including even more campaign advertising than ever!
And this will be the first year that Voter ID goes into effect.
So… what is voter ID?

4. LEARNING LESSONS FROM OTHER STATES…
We looked at other states
Texas has a strict name match, which some workers took to the extreme and caused national attention
Virginia had long lines, Ohio had a large number of provisional voters causing concern that they could not count them in time.
Mississippi did very well. So well that they only had one error made by a single election official, but it made national news!
We will have the same media scrutiny.

5. What is voter ID?
Beginning in 2016, registered voters voting at the polls will be asked to present a valid photo ID…
So what is photo ID? This is the presentation we give to most audiences…
Beginning in 2016, registered voters voting at the polls wit be asked to present a valid photo ID.
“At the polls “ is highlighted because it is important. I will talk about why in a minute.
So… what is a photo ID? Not everyone will need to show photo ID. We will cover this later.
Let’s look at photo ID…
There are some exceptions and options for persons without photo ID.

6. NC Dmv issued cards FREE VOTER ID Any card issued by the NC DMV
The drivers license is most common. Provisional and learners permits are included.
Followed by the State ID card.
This is the same card the DMV will give to persons who request a free photo ID for voting.
This card can be used for so much more than just voting! It is a valid ID for banks, job applications, trains, air travel, and anywhere a state issued ID is required!
NC has a brand new look for their ID’s.
FREE VOTER ID

7. US Passport & Passport card
Unexpired US Passport & Passport Card

8. Military and veterans INCLUDES ACTIVE, RETIRED, and DEPENDENTS!
Unexpired CAC Military ID – active, retired, and dependents.
Older versions are fine if they have a photo and are unexpired.
Unexpired VA Benefit Cards
INCLUDES ACTIVE, RETIRED, and DEPENDENTS!

9. OTHER ID’s All Federal Tribal ID Cards and
Unexpired Tribal ID cards for Federally recognized tribes like the Cherokee and Catawba tribes.
Unexpired Tribal ID cards if they are approved by the State Board of Elections for the State recognized tribes .
Unexpired out of state photo ID, but only if the voter has registered to vote within 90 days of the election.
ONLY IF THE VOTER HAS REGISTERED TO VOTE WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE ELECTION
All Federal Tribal ID Cards and
Tribal ID Cards from certain State recognized Tribes

10. Exceptions to expiration
Rules for expiration…
In most cases, the photo ID must be unexpired.
There are exceptions
Persons over 70 may use an expired card if the card was unexpired when the voter turned 70.
NC issued ID cards may be expired, but no more than 4 years from the date of presentation for voting.
Some forms of military ID cards do not contain an expiration or issuance date.
NC ID’s may be expired no more than 4 years,
Most Federal ID’s must be unexpired.

11. There are Exceptions to Photo id
Registered voters with a disability voting curbside
(use either photo ID or HAVA documents).
Registered voters voting by mail-in absentee ballot.
There are exceptions to the photo ID requirement. Many people are unaware of these exceptions.
Voters who are unable to enter the voting enclosure may vote curbside. They may use either a photo ID or a HAVA ID. HAVA stands for Help America Vote Act. Id’s include utility bills, bank statement, government checks, or other government issued document that contains the voter’s name and address.
Voting absentee by-mail does not require photo ID. Anyone can vote absentee, you do not need a special reason. This is a particularly good option for persons that are disabled, homebound, or live in facilities.

12. OTHER EXCEPTIONS to photo id…
Registered voter who has a sincerely held religious objection to being photographed and has filed a declaration at least 25 days before the election.
Registered voter who is a victim of a natural disaster occurring within 60 days before the election that results in a disaster declaration by the President or Governor.
Other exceptions…
Persons with a sincerely held religious objection to being photographed. They must file a declaration at least 25 days before the election with the county board of elections.
A registered voter who is a victim of a natural disaster -- if the Governor or President declares the disaster within 60 days before the election.

13. Exception for voters without photo id
Voter may complete a request for an absentee ballot… (up to the deadline for requests – 5pm on the Tuesday before the election).
Or, voters not meeting the ID requirements may cast a provisional ballot.
Voters unable to obtain a photo ID may complete a “reasonable impediment declaration”.
NO ELEGIBLE VOTER WILL BE TURNED AWAY or NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE because of the PHOTO ID requirement!
What if you show up to vote and do not have a photo ID? You have options!
Any voter that presents to vote in-person and is unable to provide an acceptable photo ID will be notified of several options…
During early voting, voters will be informed that they may complete a written request to vote by mail-in absentee ballot up until the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot which is 5 pm on the Tuesday before the election.
Anyone not having the proper photo ID will be offered the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot. They will be given instructions on what they need to do for the provisional vote to count.
We want to emphasize that NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY OR NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE for not having a proper photo ID!!!
Repeat…

14. Reasonable impediment declaration
Voters who suffer from a reasonable impediment that prevents the voter from obtaining a photo ID may complete and sign a “reasonable impediment declaration”.
Will need to provide ID in the form of (a) HAVA ID, (b) voter registration card, OR (c) provide last 4 digits of SSN and DOB…
Will vote a provisional ballot (which will count upon verification).
What if you are unable to get a photo ID in time for the election?
Any voter who does not have acceptable photo ID because of a reasonable impediment that prevents the voter from obtaining the photo ID may vote a provisional ballot. “Reasonable Impediment Declaration”. This is for voters unable to get a photo ID and have no other acceptable form of photo ID. They will have to present identification in the form of: a HAVA ID, voter registration card, or provide the last 4 digits of their SSN and DOB..
We want to emphasize that NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY OR NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE for not having a proper photo ID!!!
Repeat…

15. Reasonable impediment declaration
Some forms of reasonable impediment are:
Lack of transportation
Illness or disability
Lack of birth certificate or other documents
Work schedule
Lost or stolen ID
OTHER _______________
What if you are unable to get a photo ID in time for the election?
Here are some of the reasonable impediments.
Any voter who does not have acceptable photo ID because of a reasonable impediment that prevents the voter from obtaining the photo ID may vote a provisional ballot. “Reasonable Impediment Declaration”. This is for voters unable to get a photo ID and have no other acceptable form of photo ID. They will have to present identification in the form of: a HAVA ID, voter registration card, or provide the last 4 digits of their SSN and DOB.
We want to emphasize that NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY OR NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE for not having a proper photo ID!!!

16. What are we doing to prepare? mailings
218,733 cards were mailed
61,322 total cards received NCSBE (28.03% feedback) (as of 7/24)
Undeliverable: 41,842 (68.23% of feedback)
Marked responses: 19,480 (31.77% of feedback)
Have ID: 17,794 (91.34%)
No ID, No help needed: 294 (1.51%)
No ID, Please help: 569 (2.92%)
Other (unmarked, deceased, moved out of state, not current resident, etc.): 823 (4.22%)
Total number of requests for help = 1,392.
747 resolved. Remainder are in-progress.
Here are just a few things we at the State Board of Elections are doing to prepare.
We are identifying and contacting persons who are registered to vote but may not have photo ID. We are doing this right now with mailings and phone calls.
First of two mailings to voters that may not have a photo ID need help getting an ID.

17. What are we doing to prepare?
Providing free NC ID’s and birth certificates.
Partnering with agencies and organizations that work with low-income, minority, elderly, and disability groups.
Working with voter registration and voter advocacy groups.
Traveling statewide to give presentations and seminars. Over 160 to-date.
Here are just a few things we at the State Board of Elections are doing to prepare.
We are helping provide free NC ID Cards and birth certificates.
We are partnering with agencies and organizations that serve groups of persons that may need additional help getting a photo ID. For example, The NC Council on Ageing, and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
We are also working with voter registration and voter advocacy groups. We are already reaching out to some of the state and national groups to partner with them.

18. voterID.nc.gov Need more information? Visit our website.
Information of voter ID and how to get one. Links to DMV offices, register of deeds, county election offices, transportation, and a whole lot more.

19. CARDS POSTERS NEW PRINTED MATERIALS
Here are some of the materials we have to help spread the word.
Should be ready by September.
CARDS
POSTERS

20. What else are we doing?
Linking voters to transportation and other assistance for documents
Attorney Advocates network
Developing rules for the photo ID process at the poll site (tomorrow)
Developing election officials training aids (tomorrow)
Producing statewide media campaign – Bring It!
You can also expect to see a statewide media campaign with TV, Radio, Newspaper Ads, and Billboards!
We are working on a program to link persons with transportation to the DMV or courthouse to obtain documents.
What about persons who have no birth certificate, or never had one, or never had a license, or it is difficult to get the proper documents? We are working to set up a network of attorney advocates who will assist and represent these persons in obtaining documents.
Rules for reasonable resemblance.
Election official training aids – tomorrow.
You will see a statewide media campaign beginning sometime this fall. We may wait until after the municipal elections so people are not confused and think ID’s are required this year.

21. Help get the word out in your community.
ways You Can help
Help get the word out in your community.
Offer to assist persons who need help.
Volunteer to work at the polls, or work on a MAT Team.
Is your voter registration is up-to-date?
How can you help the voter outreach team?
You may be asking, I want to help. What can I do?
You can help get the word out in your community through grassroots programs or through your church.
You may know someone who needs help getting an ID. Offer to help them or direct them to us.
Volunteer to work at the polls. The county board of elections may need your help. You may qualify to be a poll worker, poll judge, or student election assistant. Contact your CBE.
Lastly, check your own registration to make sure it is up to date since your last move or name change. Confirm that everything is up to date. Making changes is easy. Contact your CBE.

22. www.voterID.nc.gov voter ID Contacts
Ted Fitzgerald – Lead Jennifer Faulkner (919) (919) Dr. Lee Cooley (919)715-91
Give us a call or if we can help.
Here is our contact information and website.
Thank you.