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Democracy NC Applauds Launch of Online Voter Registration

RALEIGH, N.C. (3/30/2020) — The State Board of Elections and N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles announced on March 30th that the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles’ website would begin offering online voter registration (OVR) to assist voters quarantined at home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The service is available to voters here.

The OVR process is a standalone service that does not require the user to complete a NCDMV transaction, such as a license renewal or duplicate, at the same time.

Register to Vote Online

Visit ncvoter.org for 5 easy steps to use OVR.

Democracy North Carolina’s Executive Director Tomas Lopez immediately applauded the move, calling it “a key step” toward ensuring North Carolina has a fair, inclusive, and accessible election this fall.

“At a time when so many of us are staying home to stop the spread of coronavirus, this announcement of an online voter registration (OVR) system for North Carolina is very welcome news, and a key step toward ensuring we have a fair, inclusive, and accessible election this fall,” said Lopez. “OVR will assuredly allow more eligible voters to take part in the political process and have their say this year — no matter where you live or who you’re voting for – and that’s good news for our democracy at a time when we need it most.”

“OVR will assuredly allow more eligible voters to take part in the political process and have their say this year — no matter where you live or who you're voting for – and that's good news for our democracy at a time when we need it most.” –Tomas Lopez, Democracy NC

Democracy North Carolina submitted a letter to the State Board of Elections earlier this month offering initial ideas on election administration responses to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The coalition letter, encouraged an online voter registration system, as well as lowering the barriers for absentee voting and preparing for potential poll worker shortages.

Lopez added, “It is our hope that OVR is the first of many near and long term steps that North Carolina’s leaders will take to preserve voting access in light of this unprecedented moment in our state’s history.” 

Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase civic participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and remove systemic barriers to voting and serving in elected office.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Tomas Lopez, 919-491-4120, tomas@democracync.org

Sailor Jones, 919-260-5906, sailor@democracync.org


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