NCSBE.gov/Helene
The State Board of Elections has launched a special webpage, ncsbe.gov/Helene, as a resource of information for voters affected by Hurricane Helene.
Residency
Voters who have been temporarily displaced (either to somewhere else in the state or out of state) due to Hurricane Helene but who intend to return to their original residence retain that original residence for voting purposes.
Photo ID
On Sept. 28, President Biden granted Gov. Cooper’s request for a disaster declaration. Voters in or from the counties covered who are unable to present acceptable photo ID for reasons related to Hurricane Helene may vote provisionally and select the “victim of a natural disaster within 100 days before Election Day” option on the ID Exception Form. All mail-in ballots include an ID Exception Form.
Early Voting & Election Day Locations
Damage from Hurricane Helene will likely require changes to early voting locations and Election Day precincts for Western NC counties. The State Board of Elections and the NC General Assembly have allowed 25 impacted counties (NOTE: not all of which are designated FEMA counties) to modify voting locations and days/hours. Voters can contact the NC State Board of Elections (919-814-0700) and their County Board of Elections office for the most up-to-date voting information.
Vote-by-Mail
Some U.S.P.S. facilities remain closed or unable to deliver mail to certain residential addresses. Voters registered in the 25 impacted counties have expanded options to vote by mail.
- REQUEST: Voters can request and receive a mail ballot in person at their County Board of Elections office by 5:00 PM on Nov. 4.
- RETURN: Voters can return their mail ballot by 7:30 on Election Day to any County Board of Elections office in the state or the State Board of Elections office in Raleigh. Voters may also return mail ballots at any open early voting site (Oct. 17-Nov. 2). If returning by mail, need to include 3 “Forever” stamps ($1.77).
- Already requested a ballot? Voters who have already requested a mail ballot but will be unable to receive it at the address where it was set to be delivered (e.g., because they are temporarily displaced) should contact their County Board of Elections to spoil the original ballot and have a new one sent to their temporary location. Voters may also choose to vote in person during Early Voting or on Election Day.
- ASSISTANCE: Voters can receive assistance requesting or returning their mail ballot from a near-relative (e.g., husband/wife, brother/sister, daughter/son). Voters who are disabled can receive assistance from anyone of their choice. If a voter needs additional support, they should contact their County Board of Elections office.
Designated FEMA Counties
Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee (Tribal Area), Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain (Tribal Area), Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey. Visit this link for the latest list of counties.
*counties bolded are included in the Disaster Recovery Act and may make certain modifications to voting.