FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2004
Contact: Schorr Johnson, Communications Director, North Carolina Democratic Party (919) 821-2777, ext. 216
College Student Voter Education: Out-of-State Students Can Vote in NC and Valid Student Photo ID Is Acceptable to Vote
Raleigh-As part of the North Carolina Democratic Party’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) effort, voter education is essential.
For new voters, North Carolina requires either a North Carolina driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number to be submitted on the voter registration form if you register by mail or at a voter registration drive (and not at a Board of Elections office). If either of these are not submitted, a photo identification or proof of residency is required when voting. According to the State Board of Elections, such proof may include:
A current and valid photo identification, or A copy of a government document that shows the name and address of the voter such as a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.
Out-of-state students attending college in North Carolina are allowed to vote here as long as they register by October 8 and cancel their previous registration (on the voter registration form) and provide a local physical address or residence. In-state students may register in the county of their college as long as they cancel their previous registration and provide a local physical address of residence. Students may also keep their previous registration and vote by absentee ballot, which is from September 13-October 26 in North Carolina. Absentee ballots must be received by the local Board of Elections on November 1.
Furthermore, unexpired college identification cards are a valid form of photo identification for voting. According to the State Board of Elections, “If the ID has not expired and has photo of the person, then it meets the provisions established by the Help America Vote Act as a means of identification.” Anyone who claims otherwise should refer to the North Carolina Board of Elections at (919) 733-7173.
“Voting is our most basic right. We are working hard to educate young voters about their rights. And remember, if there is any question on Election Day, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot and should not leave the polling place without voting,” said North Carolina Young Democrats President Courtney Crowder. “Because North Carolina is a battleground state in this election, we encourage all out-of-state college students to register to vote in our state. Young voters can make the difference in this election.”
Last Day to Register to Vote: October 8
Request for Absentee Ballots: September 13-October 26
One-Stop Early Voting: October 14-30
Election Day: November 2
Local Board of Elections contact information:
http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/about/directors.asp
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