The second primary election will take place on Tuesday, June 23. Eligible voters include:
- Registered Republicans
- Unaffiliated voters that voted Republican in March
- Unaffiliated voters that did not vote in March
Absentee by-mail voting is taking place now.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and response the North Carolina State Board is reminding North Carolinians that all voters can vote by mail during every election, casting a ballot without leaving the comfort of home. No excuse is necessary. The State Board Office and Task Force are discussing ways to make voting by mail easier, while making sure that the 100 county boards of elections stand ready to process an expected increase in mail-in ballots. If you, or someone you know, will be unavailable to vote in person, there is information you need to know to ensure your vote is counted.
For active duty military, their family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad:
You will need to go to FVAP.gov or ncsbe.gov/voting-options/military-overseas-voting and follow the absentee ballot instructions to receive an absentee ballot. If you have questions about that process, you can call us at (828) 250-4222.
For all others wishing to receive an absentee ballot:
Anyone else wishing to request an absentee ballot may do so for any reason as long as they complete a 2020 North Carolina Absentee Ballot Request Form and return it one of the following ways:
- Mail it to: P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802
- Hand deliver it to the dropbox located in the entryway of our office at 77 McDowell St., Asheville, 28801
Special Note: Military and overseas voters may email to [email protected] or fax (828) 250-6262 a signed copy of this form.
Deadline to return the completed Absentee Ballot Request Form is Tuesday, June 16, at 5 p.m.
Once your N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form has been received, an absentee ballot will be sent out. Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, June 23, 2020, and received by Friday, June 26, at 5 p.m. They may also be returned in person to our office (by 5 p.m. on June 23) but only by the voter or a near relative. For more information about absentee voting, visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website.
Near relative exceptions
From June 17 to June 22, a voter’s near relative may come into the office to fill out an absentee request form for a voter who is sick or disabled who did not previously request an absentee ballot. The request will be processed immediately and the ballot handed to the near relative to take to the voter. These ballots have the same deadlines as stated above.
The following qualify as a near relative: spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, in-laws, stepparent, stepchild, or verifiable legal guardian.
Session Law 2019-239 made several changes to the absentee voting process. Changes include:
- An absentee request form is now valid only if returned to the county board of elections by the voter, the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, or a Multi-partisan Assistance Team (MAT).
- The absentee request form must be mailed or delivered in person to the voter’s county board of elections. Unlike past elections, request forms may not be emailed or faxed.
- If a voter needs help completing the request form due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, and a near relative or legal guardian is not available, the voter may get help from another person, who must list their name and address on the form.
For any additional information or questions contact us at (828) 250-4200.