Absentee voting unchanged in New Hanover County following Supreme Court ruling
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County’s absentee-by-mail voting process remains unchanged following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision rejecting the Trump administration’s effort to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the midterm elections.
New Hanover County Elections Director Eric Navagh said Tuesday the county continues to follow guidance from the North Carolina State Board of Elections and has not made changes to its absentee voting procedures.
“At this point in time, there has been no change to absentee-by-mail practices,” Navagh said. “We’ve issued them since September 4th, in line with the state board guidelines, and will continue to do so.”
Navagh said voters who want to cast an absentee ballot must submit an absentee ballot request. The current deadline for the county to receive a request is 5 p.m. Oct. 20.
Completed absentee ballots must be received by the New Hanover County Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, Navagh said.
The county’s early voting period begins Oct. 15 and continues through Oct. 31, with five locations available across New Hanover County.
The voter registration deadline is Oct. 9. Navagh said people who miss that deadline can register and vote at an early voting location by providing the required identification and proof of residence. Same-day registration is not available on Election Day.
With court decisions and other election-related information continuing ahead of the midterms, Navagh said voters should rely on information from election officials and contact the county with questions.
“I would say rest assured that everything is running smoothly,” Navagh said. “We feel very confident in the team that we have here in New Hanover County, and also with the support that we have through the state of North Carolina.”
Navagh said the county’s elections website contains information about voting options, deadlines and schedules. The elections office is also open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for voters with questions.
The New Hanover County Board of Elections will hold its regular meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at the Board of Elections Office at 226 Government Center Drive in Wilmington.
The Brunswick County Board of Elections is also scheduled to meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the commissioners chambers in Bolivia.
