Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How do I know where to vote?

A:   You can check your voter registration on your own simply by going to this  website, http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/VoterLookup.aspx.  By viewing your voter registration record, you will learn your precinct, polling place and its address.  Once you know your precinct you can visit our website, http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/ELCT/Pages/PollingPlaces.aspx to view a map of your precinct.  To view a map of your precinct, simply click on the name of the precinct and a map will appear.

Q: What precincts were recently divided?  What are the new precincts and their polling places?

A:  See table below.

Q:  What precincts were recently merged and what is the new polling place?

A:    The mergers below were adopted by local board resolution on December 19, 2007 and approved by the NC State Board of Elections on December 31, 2007.

Q:  Why did the Board choose to merge precincts in the beginning of a busy election year?

A:  The Board began the merger process in December, 2007.  Due to the election calendar, NC General Statute 163-128, and the task of appointing precinct officials for the 2008 elections, the Board felt now to be the most opportune time to proceed with in-depth precinct management.  The election calender is very busy this year with filing beginning in February.  Any juridictional changes must be completed before filing ends on February 29th.  NC General Statute 163-128 states that voters must be notified of any precinct or voting place changes 30 days prior to the election and advertisement for such must be made 45 days in advance by newspaper having general circulation in the county.  The Board must make precinct appointments for the positions of Chief Judge and Judges of Elections along with election assistants for the newly created precincts.  These appointments must be in place before precinct official training begins in April.  Good precinct health is critical to precinct management in a busy election year.  2008 promises to bring high voter turn-out and the Board is looking ahead.

Q:  Why did the Board merge some precincts?

A:  The Board merged precincts for the following reasons:

  Ÿ         The need to provide a more cost effective election operation for New Hanover County tax-payers

Ÿ         Equalizing the number of registered voters per precinct by comparing voter registration and voter turn-out statistics among all county precincts

Ÿ         Availability of precinct officials to staff precincts

Ÿ         The need to move polling places from private buildings and emergency response facilities into tax-funded public buildings as much as possible

Q:  How is the Board of Elections empowered to move precincts or voting places?

A;  The Board has statutory authority under NC General Statute 163-128 to establish or alter precincts.  This statute provides a county board of elections precise direction for precinct maintenance in a county.  The statute also provides instruction to the county board as to how it will notify voters of the precinct or voting place change.

Q:  What is different about my voter registration card, I am voting at the same place?

A:  It may be that the only change for you is the name and number of the precinct.  Example:  W31 rather than W11.

Q:  What does a voter registration card mean to me?

A;  The registration card is for informational purposes only.  Each voter is sent a card due to a new registration, change of information, or if the Board of Elections conducts an adminstrative mailing pursuant to the National Voter's Registration Act of 1993 or due to jurisdictional reassignments.  Voters are not required to present voter registrations cards at the time they appear to vote.  The registration card can be used to change a voter's address, name or party affiliation.  Simply, provide the new information on the card and return it to the Board of Election's office.  Other important information on your registration card is your precinct assignment, polling place and its address, and other jurisdictional information such as NC House and Senate districts.

Q:  Why do I have a new precinct name?

A:  NC General Statute 163-132.3A prohibits a county board from assigning to any precinct a name that has been used after January 1, 1999 for a precinct comprising a different territory.  County boards of elections must submit to the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections approvals for every proposed change as it complies with this statute.

Q:  How often does the Board of Elections meet?

A:  The New Hanover County Board of Elections meets when they have business and general election matters to attend.  These meetings can be scheduled occasionally outside of the election season or frequently due to the election calender. 

Q:  How will I know when the Board will meet?

A:  The Board will post notices of their meeting at least 48 hours in advance, unless it is an emergency meeting.  The notice is posted outside of the Board of Elections office, on the Board of Elections website, and sent to the New Hanover County Democratic and Republican Party Chairmen.