Family applied for an absentee ballot. In NC, new rules kicked in - TopicsExpress



          

Family applied for an absentee ballot. In NC, new rules kicked in governing how they can be completed. What I find interesting is that the Ballot must be marked in front of either (a) two witnesses or (b) a notary public. In the past the envelope (signature of the voter) had to be witnessed but this requires that the witnesses actually ‘witnessing’ the CASTING of the ballot while ‘respecting the secrecy of the ballot and the privacy of the absentee voter at all times’. You are required to mark your ballot ‘in the presence of your witnesses’ or the notary. Though they are ‘witnessing’ the completion of the ballot, they aren’t allowed to witness the casting of the ballot. The Notary certification contains this phrase: “On the ____ Day of ______, 20__, the voter, _____ personally appeared before me, was positively identified, AND IN MY PRESENCE, marked the enclosed ballot……..” (caps added by me). Evidently, elected officials that are on the ballot can’t witness ballots for which their names appear but elected officials can witness relatives (or near relatives) ballots. There are big disclaimers point out that if the witnesses are not ‘qualified’ that the ballot won’t be counted. Lots of warnings about people in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities being prohibited from being a witness. So, if you are ordering an absentee ballot, remember that the witnesses (or Notary) have to watch you complete it. I scanned the forms included below.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 01:28:24 +0000

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