Wake County voters who have requested an absentee ballot must ensure that their completed ballot is received by the Board of Elections Operations Center no later than 7:30 p.m. on November 5. This deadline for absentee ballots is also critical for those submitted by mail; simply having a postmark dated on or before Election Day does not guarantee that a late ballot will be counted. Furthermore, it is important to note that absentee ballots cannot be returned at polling places on Election Day itself.
All eligible voters who are in line by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day will be permitted to cast their votes. Once all participants have voted and the polling station is cleared, election officials will begin the process of closing the polls. The first results made public via the NCSBE Results Dashboard will reflect the absentee ballots that were approved by mail. At the same time, county boards will close the in-person early voting locations, a process that will be open to public observation at the Board of Elections Operations Center. It may take up to an hour or longer to officially tabulate the early voting results from all 22 early voting sites, which will then be shared with the public.
Following the release of early voting results, results from Election Day precincts will be made available as they are received. Depending on the number of voters at each polling place and its proximity to the Board of Elections, it might take until 11 p.m. for results to be reported from all 212 precincts.
For more details about upcoming elections and the voting process, voters are encouraged to visit ReadyToVote.com.
The Wake County Board of Elections plays a crucial role in facilitating all elections within the county. This board is responsible for establishing voting precincts and locations, appointing and training election officials, preparing and distributing ballots and voting equipment, certifying ballots cast during elections, and addressing any discrepancies in the voting process. Additionally, the board manages voter registration and maintains records for over 850,000 voters.
For further updates and information about the Wake County Board of Elections, residents can connect via Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or reach out through email at voter@wake.gov or by phone at 919-404-4040.
In a broad sense, these voting procedures emphasize the importance of civic engagement and ensuring that every voice is heard in the electoral process. As the community gears up for the upcoming elections, it highlights an opportunity for citizens to participate actively in shaping their governance.