During this hyper busy time of the year for Board of Elections Directors, LWVCV was able to catch up with those in Alexander and Catawba Counties.
BOE Directors Talk Voting
“Preparing for any election is like putting together a giant puzzle. There is a myriad of tasks that go on behind the scenes to make the voting process work. It is not as simple as it may look to voters and all the pieces have to fit together perfectly.” —Patrick Wike, Alexander County BOE Director
“We have been given the privilege to uphold democracy and ensure that voters may exercise their right to vote. It takes a village of working together for a successful election.”—Amanda Duncan, Catawba County BOE Director
In preparation for voting, all Catawba Valley BOE Staffs check ballots, test equipment, and recruit, assign and train poll workers.
Poll Workers Are Key to the Election Process and Democracy.
Poll workers are vital and all receive training before elections start. Poll workers staff all days of Early Voting as well as Election Day. Their work includes helping set up each polling site, arriving before polls open to prepare for voters and staying after polls close to complete their work. “They come from all walks of life and various political leanings but they share a common belief that our elections are sacred and the foundation to our democracy.
When you go vote, be sure to thank these folks, your fellow citizens, who are helping provide for this voting service to their community and our country.”—Patrick Wike
New this year
Alexander County has a new early voting site at the CVCC Applied Technologies Building.
During Early Voting, at all Catawba County’s five locations, voters will have a choice to vote on the 1) ExpressVote ballot marking device or to 2) print the traditional paper ballot for physical hand-marking by the voter and submitting to the tabulator.
Tips for Voters from Local Election Pro’s
Screenshot from VOTE411.
“Be prepared.”—Amanda Duncan and Patrick Wike
Register or update your registration. VOTE411.
Check your registration now. Be sure it is up to date. VOTE411.
Have a Valid Photo ID. Free ones are available at BOE offices and at NCDMV.
Make a plan. There are 3 ways to vote—absentee, early voting and at your assigned precinct on November 5. Find which is best for you.
Know where to go. If you vote early you can go to any early voting site in your county during the early voting period. But on election day, you must go to your assigned precinct voting place. VOTE411
Do your homework. Find a sample ballot to see all the contests and candidates. Check out candidate responses to questions. VOTE411
