VOTE Today & Tomorrow
What? One-Stop Early Voting, also known as One-Stop Absentee Voting
When? Early Voting Days on Ocracoke are Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, 8am-5pm at the Fire Department. Early voting runs October 15-31 throughout the state.
Where do I vote early on Ocracoke? Ocracoke hosts two days of One-Stop Early Voting on October 22nd and 23rd, 8-5pm, at the OVFD Fire Department. This year, due to COVID, voting will be in the firetruck bays for distancing (instead of the small meeting room in the back.)
Who? All Hyde County residents
I live on Ocracoke. May I vote in Swan Quarter? YES. Any Hyde County resident can vote early in either Swan Quarter or on Ocracoke. (On Election Day you may only vote at your own precinct.) One-Stop Early Voting begins October 15 on the mainland at the Hyde County Elections Office, and is open every weekday 8am-5pm plus Saturday, October 31st from 8am-3pm. One-Stop Early Voting is at the Board of Elections office: 1223 Main St. Swan Quarter, NC 27885 - Enter the Public Safety Building and walk straight ahead through the door on the left, next to the sheriff's front desk window.
What if I forgot to register to vote? It's not really too late! You can register and vote AT THE SAME TIME during One-Stop Early Voting.
What do I bring? You DON'T need an I.D. to vote. However, if you are registering and voting AT THE SAME TIME at One-Stop Early Voting, then you need to bring proof of residence, which can be a North Carolina driver’s license, OR other photo identification issued by a government agency -- any government-issued photo ID is acceptable, provided that the card includes your current name and address, OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing your name and address
How do I know if I'm already registered or not? If you've voted on Ocracoke before, and haven't changed your voter registration address, you can do it again! You can also check your NC voter registration here. Actually, you can check anyone's voter registration. Be nosy about your neighbors! It's patriotic!
It's Early Voting Day on Ocracoke (October 22 & 23), but it's cold/rainy/windy/hot/buggy/muddy and I don't have time/energy/enthusiasm to walk or bike -- what should I do? Call the Ocracoke Current (Sundae Horn) at 252-921-0283. We will provide a ride! (You do have to wear a mask, but you'd be doing that anyway.)
I requested an Absentee Mail-In Ballot. Do I have to use it? NO. As long as you don't mail it in, you can choose to vote in person instead.
Can I turn in my mail-in Ballot in person? YES, but only during One-Stop Early Voting, not on Election Day.
Can I see a sample ballot? YES. Ocracoke voters, Click here for your ballot. Or stop by the Ocracoke Library (in Deepwater Theater), open 1-5 weekdays and Saturdays 9-1, to pick up a printed SAMPLE ballot.
How/When are absentee (mail-in) votes counted? Per the NCSBE website: Upon receipt, the county board of elections staff reviews each container-return envelope for completeness. Beginning five weeks before Election Day, the county board of elections holds weekly absentee board meetings where the approved ballots are inserted into a voting machine. However, results are not tabulated or reported until Election Day.
What if I miss Early Voting on Ocracoke and the mainland? Well, if you aren't registered, you're out of luck. If you ARE registered -- yay! You can vote on Election Day, November 3rd. Polls are open 6:30am–7:30pm. Ocracoke will vote at the fire department.
What if I have more questions? Check out the Hyde County Board of Elections information page here, stop by the Ocracoke Library, or visit the NC State Board of Elections website. Or text me, Sundae, at 252-921-0283. I love to help get out the vote!
