Voter Assistance Teams

New Hanover County Board of Elections strives to make elections accessible to all voters.  However, there are some voters who are unable to get to the polls on election day to vote.  For these people, requesting an absentee ballot by mail is a desirable choice.  Some people are lucky to have a relative or friend who can assist them with the absentee by mail process.  However, in some cases, a voter is under care at an adult care facility.  Although sick and immobile, qualified voters are encouraged to participate in the democratic process.  The Board of Elections can help.

It is unlawful for any owner, manager, director, employee, or other person other than the voter’s near relative to make a written request or application for a registered voter who is a patient in any hospital, clinic, nursing home or rest home in this State.  This includes marking an absentee ballot. The North Carolina General Assembly passed specific bills into law designed to assist voters residing in adult care facilities. 

Pursuant to NCGS 163-226.3(4) and the rules adopted by the NC State Board of Elections, the New Hanover County Board of Elections may assemble multi-partisan voter assistance teams to help patients in care facilities vote. 

Upon request, the Board of Elections will provide multi-partisan teams to assist voters in performing the following actions: completing voter registration applications, making absentee ballot requests, marking absentee ballots (per the voter’s request), and other types of assistance as requested by the voter.  The Board of Elections will not, however, provide a mobile voting site for residents.  The team will act only in the capacity of assisting voters upon their request in the execution of an absentee ballot and prerequisite processes.

Adult care facilities representatives are encouraged to contact the Board of Elections office to set up a time for the team to come to a site.  Note this is type of request should be a facilities-based request and not an individual request.