Early Voting Starts in 2 DAYS! Are You Ready? 

Hello Indivisible Citizens of Catawba Valley,

It’s another Take Action Tuesday from the ICCV Legislative Committee. We are in the home stretch of this election cycle, although I hasten to remind everyone that November 3 is not the END of the fight – It’s merely the end of this skirmish! There is much more to do to fix our broken nation.

But, for now, let’s talk about voting! ICCV and many other pro-voting groups are encouraging people to vote during Early Voting. This is important since it makes correcting any potential issues much easier. In North Carolina, we have one-stop voting during the early voting period, which means you can register AND vote at the same time. And, we’re strongly recommending voting as early in the early voting period as possible.

Early Voting in Catawba County starts Thursday, October 15, and runs through Saturday, October 31.Hours are 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM on weekdays, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturdays, and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Sundays. Yes, in Catawba County, we do have Early Voting on Sundays. You are allowed to vote at ANY Early Voting site in your county, but on Election Day, November 3, you must vote at your assigned precinct.

Most of our readers are regular voters, but this week we’re going to provide a primer on voting rights and responsibilities. PLEASE SHARE this with friends, family, coworkers, anyone you think might need a refresher on what to do ahead of time, what to bring (and not bring) to the polls, and how to vote responsibly.

WHAT TO DO and HOW TO DO IT

We encourage everyone to check your voter registration one more time before heading to the polls. https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ The deadline to register to vote was on Friday, October 9, at 5:00 PM, but if you missed the deadline, and can’t find your registration, as stated above, you may register and vote at the same time during Early Voting. You CANNOT register on Election Day. You must provide photo ID and proof of residence. If your ID does not have your current address, you must provide a utility bill or other document proving your address. Find more information at https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/register-person-during-early-voting

 While at that site, you can also download a sample ballot, which lets you know which races and ballot initiatives will be on YOUR ballot.

 After ensuring you are registered and downloading your sample ballot, it’s time to do a little research and consider carefully your choices. The League of Women Voters has information on many candidates at https://www.vote411.org. You can also search for specific races and candidates at https://ballotpedia.org/Catawba_County,_North_Carolina,_elections,_2026

 We highly recommend learning what you can, particularly about candidates and ballot initiatives with which you are unfamiliar. Use more than one source and, whenever possible, listen to the candidate’s own words and read their platforms.

 Now, you’ve checked your registration and researched the ballot. It’s time to make your voting plan. 

Where, when, and by what method you will vote:

·      If you are voting absentee, decide whether you are mailing your ballot or dropping it off at the county Board of Elections or an Early Voting site. If you MUST mail it, be sure to follow ALL instructions, add adequate postage (3 Forever stamps), and put it in the mail no later than October 20. Ballots must be received by 7:30 PM on Election Day and there is NO grace period. https://www.indivisibleccv.org/september-8-2026

·      If you are voting early and in-person, know how you are going to get there. Do you have transportation? Then, decide which Early Voting location you would like to go to. Are you going with a family member or friend? If you get there and there are long lines, you may wait or you might consider going to one of the other sites.

·      If you are planning to vote on Election Day, November 3, the polls are open from 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM. If you are in line at 7:30 PM, stay there! Election officials will allow you to vote. Your vote is that important! You MUST vote at your assigned precinct if voting on Election Day. You can look up your precinct when you check your registration status. Scroll down to the section that is headed YOUR VOTING LOCATIONS.

·      If you have mobility issues, curbside voting is available at every Early Voting site and every precinct on Election Day. Look for the signs, pull into the curbside voting lane, and an election official will assist you. You will be required to swear an oath that you are unable to enter the voting enclosure without physical assistance. https://www.catawbacountync.gov/county-services/elections/voting/curbside-voting-at-the-polls/

What to take with you and what to do when you get there:

·      Be sure to take your photo ID. https://www.indivisibleccv.org/august-25-2026

·      Identify yourself to the poll worker, present your photo ID, and choose whether you want to mark your ballot by hand or by using one of the touchscreens. Once you have your ballot in hand, wait to be assigned a voting booth.

·      You may take your sample ballot, personal notes, and your phone into the voting booth, but it is ILLEGAL to photograph or videotape a completed ballot, or to use your device to communicate with others while voting. https://www.ncsbe.gov/news/press-releases/2020/10/02/state-board-reminds-voters-not-photograph-their-ballots You may also take your children with you to vote, which gives you the opportunity to talk to them about the importance of voting. We are raising the next generation of voters!

·      Be sure to vote the entire ballot. Judicial races, and local races for County Commissioner, school board, and other down ballot races are the ones that are closest to you, and have the greatest effect on your daily life. https://www.acluofnorthcarolina.org/why-you-should-vote-all-way-down-ballot/ However, if you choose to skip a particular ballot item, your ballot will still count. https://voterhelpdesk.usvotefoundation.org/en/support/solutions/articles/151000049151-do-i-have-to-vote-for-everything-on-the-ballot-

·      Don’t forget to consider the impact of the proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution. We discussed these in detail last week: https://www.indivisibleccv.org/october-6-2026

·      After you have finished marking your ballot, enter it into the ballot tabulator as instructed by the election workers.

·      Always be courteous and respectful to the election workers. These are your neighbors who are giving of their time and energy to support your right to vote.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM TURNED AWAY?

If your registration is not found (remember, you already checked that above), your address does not match, or other questions arise about your eligibility to vote, DO NOT give up. Ask for a provisional ballot. An election official will assist you in obtaining and casting a provisional ballot. “State law mandates that no person shall be denied the option to vote a provisional ballot. In no circumstance should a voter be turned away.”https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/provisional-voting

You will then receive a PIN as well as other information on how to check the status of your provisional ballot.       
        

CALL TO ACTION:

No Kings: Vote Early is this Saturday!

October 17 from 8:30 until 10:30 am, ICCV will be holding “Five Mini-Rallies with a Twist.” Somewhat different from previous No Kings events, this is a POSITIVE, NONPARTISAN effort. Groups will gather at each of the five Early Voting sites in Catawba County to encourage people to vote early and to celebrate the act of voting. We look forward to seeing many of you at one of these fun rallies!

Sign up at https://www.nokings.org/#map Enter your zip code, or the zip code of your chosen site: Highland Rec, Newton, Conover, Sherrills Ford, or Southwest Library (Mountain View).

Mobilize signups are now available at https://www.indivisibleccv.org/calendar/no-kings-early-voting-event For some reason, no matter which location you choose, Mobilize is taking you to the Southwest Library event. If you click “See Details” on that event, it will show more events on the next screen. We don’t have an explanation for this. If you’re having trouble signing up, please reach out to Melanie Katz katzmom@me.com.

There are several other events happening later that day that ICCV members may be involved with, so we planned our events early in the day to give people an opportunity to attend multiple events if they choose.

This week’s quote:

It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem.

~Coretta Scott King

 Thank you for everything you do to protect our democracy! 

ICCV Legislative Committee        

“With Liberty and Justice for ALL”