Tue Sep 24 04:14:21 UTC 2024: ## North Carolina Begins Absentee Ballot Distribution, Two Weeks Late Due to Legal Challenge
RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina counties have begun distributing absentee ballots for the November general election to those who requested them, starting on Tuesday, September 19th. This comes roughly two weeks later than initially planned, as a legal challenge forced delays.
The initial distribution date was set for September 6th, which would have made North Carolina the first state in the nation to send out ballots for the fall elections. However, a legal challenge by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who sought his removal from the presidential race, led to appeals court judges blocking the distribution of ballots containing his name. This forced election officials statewide to reprint ballots and reassemble absentee voter packets.
As a result of the delay, the State Board of Elections decided to prioritize the distribution of ballots to military and overseas voters, ensuring they complied with a federal law requiring ballots to be sent to these categories by September 21st. These ballots were transmitted electronically starting last Friday.
The first traditional mail-in ballots for regular state residents began being sent out on Tuesday. Over 207,000 absentee ballot requests have been received so far, with more than 19,000 coming from military and overseas voters.
The deadline to request a traditional absentee ballot by mail is October 29th. A new law enacted this year requires these mail-in ballots to be received by election officials in person or through the mail by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Military and overseas voters have different request and return deadlines.
Absentee voting in North Carolina gained significant popularity during the 2020 general election due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 1 million absentee ballots cast. The number decreased to approximately 188,000 for the November 2022 midterm election. It remains to be seen whether the number of absentee ballots will rise again this year.
First Piper 