Numbered Memo 2015-04: Voter Education During the Municipal Elections

(Superseded)

Dear Directors,

This numbered memo provides guidance for compliance with Sections 5.3 and 6.2 of S.L. 2013-381 and Section 8.(g) of S.L. 2015-103, which require elections workers to educate the public regarding photo identification requirements and exceptions ahead of 2016.¹ Among other exceptions, it is important for voters to be aware of their opportunity to vote a provisional ballot if a reasonable impediment has prevented them from obtaining photo identification acceptable for voting.

In conducting the 2015 municipal elections, county boards of elections (“CBEs”) must:

1. Prominently display signage provided by the North Carolina State Board of Elections relating to the photo identification requirement and exceptions (“NCSBE”);
2. Require poll workers and precinct officials to adhere to the procedures outlined in this numbered memo when processing voters; and
3. Require poll workers and precinct officials to distribute educational materials to certain voters as outlined in this numbered memo.

Elections workers must ask all voters presenting in-person whether they possess an acceptable form of photo ID for voting, and direct any voter responding in the negative to sign the Acknowledgment of No Photo ID on their authorization to vote document. Elections workers must also provide educational materials produced by the NCSBE to voters who sign the Acknowledgement of No Photo ID and ensure signage in the voting location is displayed prominently throughout the voting period.

¹ This numbered memo formalizes information already provided to counties currently conducting partisan primary elections.

Voter Check-in Procedures

In the 2015 municipal elections, elections workers must again ask voters if they have acceptable photo identification for voting. The NCSBE has developed materials to guide election workers in performing this task, which will be provided to each county for use at early voting locations and Election Day polling places. CBEs must ensure that the materials are utilized according to the following procedure:

1. When an in-person voter presents at the check-in table, the election worker shall inquire as to the voter’s name and address. After locating the voter in the poll book, the election worker should refer to the check-in procedure document attached to this numbered memo, and read the statement pertaining to the photo identification requirement verbatim.
2. The election worker should then direct that the voter view the small poster containing images of the acceptable photo IDs and inquire whether the voter has one of the IDs depicted. It is important that election workers (and voters) understand that the question being asked refers to whether the voter has access to an acceptable type of ID, and not whether the voter has it with them. There is no requirement that voters present acceptable photo ID to the election worker this year.
3. If a voter indicates that he/she does have an acceptable type of photo ID, they should be processed normally. However, if a voter responds that he/she does not have an acceptable type of photo ID, additional steps are required. The election worker should again refer to the check-in procedure document and read Statement 1 to the voter verbatim. The election worker should hand the voter an educational flyer, read Statement 2 to the voter verbatim, and inform the voter that if he/she has questions, he/she should read the flyer provided, contact the NCSBE at the number provided on the flyer, or visit the website provided on the flyer. In the interest of maximizing efficiency at the polls during the 2015 municipal elections and the fluid nature of the ongoing litigation, election workers should not attempt to answer voter questions regarding these topics. Rather, election workers should offer voters the educational flyer provided by NCSBE and recommend that the voter direct all questions regarding these topics to the NCSBE using the contact information displayed on the educational flyer.
4. Election workers should now provide the authorization to vote document to the voter for signature. The election worker must tell the voter to sign in the correct location. Voters who have indicated that they lack acceptable photo ID for voting must sign the document twice — in addition to signing the regular voting authorization required of all voters, these voters must also sign in the “Acknowledgment of No Photo Identification” box on the form. Election workers must ensure that voters are signing the form in the proper location, and that voters without photo ID are signing the form in both locations.

Posting Signage

As with elections in 2014, signage addressing the photo identification requirements and exceptions will be provided by the NCSBE. Each early voting site and polling place should be equipped with the following:

1. A minimum of two large posters depicting acceptable forms of photo ID and outlining exceptions to the photo ID requirement. These posters should be placed in a prominent and visible location near the entrance and/or exit to the polling location. Larger polling locations or those with multiple entrances/exits should be equipped with additional posters, available from the NCSBE upon request.
2. A minimum of one small poster depicting acceptable forms of photo ID per check-in station. Election workers will use this small poster when inquiring whether voters have acceptable photo ID for voting. They should be displayed prominently on the check-in table at each check-in station.
3. A sufficient number of educational flyers, based upon the number of voters assigned to the precinct. These flyers will be provided to voters who indicate that they lack acceptable photo ID. They can also be provided to other voters upon request or displayed in the polling location, but CBEs should be aware of the amount of flyers they have on hand and submit requests for additional flyers to the NCSBE as necessary in order to keep a sufficient number of flyers available at all times.

The blue “yard-sign” type signs utilized during the 2014 elections printed “No Photo ID Needed To Vote In This Election” and “Photo ID Required in 2016” on the reverse must not be used during the 2015 elections. CBEs are directed to repurpose, recycle, return, or destroy any of these signs remaining in their possession.

[Download the PDF below to view the check-in procedure attachment.]

↓ Voter Education During the Municipal Elections: Numbered Memo 2015-04 (PDF)

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