One-Stop Early Voting in North Carolina

Considering the current investigations of voter registration irregularities in 13 states, and the litigation in Ohio of one-stop, early voting, I felt compelled to share my experience, as a candidate with one-stop, early voting in North Carolina (which begins in NC on October 17^th for the general election). My initial leap into the foray of local politics came as a Republican candidate for Board of Commissioners in Onslow County, North Carolina. The NC primary election was held May 6, 2008 and one-stop, early voting began April 18^th and ended Saturday May 3^rd. As in Ohio, voters could register and vote simultaneously at a designated polling place. My personal experience follows in the hopes that all will be vigilant in protecting and preserving an untainted election process.

The Onslow County Commissioners primary race consisted of 14 Republicans (including 4 incumbents) and 7 Democrats. The vote was cast based on registered party affiliation and was to choose 5 Republicans and 5 Democrats for the general election in November, where 5 commissioners would be elected. I chose to personally work the one-stop polling location when I realized that it was very refreshing and effective to be able to talk to people who would be "pulling the lever" in the next 10 minutes. This was the first national election for one-stop voting in North Carolina (one municipal election had employed one-stop), so voter turnout and other data was not available.

Perhaps that is the reason that I found myself alone, with no competition from any candidate, in any race, from either party, legally campaigning at the polling place - a candidate's dream! In my unscientific observation, it seemed that at most 2 out of 10 voters were there to register. Those that were registering were overwhelmingly registering as Democrats, and many for the first time. Like any vote hungry politician, I attempted to speak to every Republican voter that I could, both before and after they had voted. I began hearing from a few voters that they did not see my name on their ballot, I was slightly concerned as the voters had indicated they were registered Republicans. However, I chalked it up to confusion on their parts as to their party affiliation, and the difference in a primary and general election.

My personal effort to get out the vote came in the form of personally taking three registered Republicans to vote on separate occasions. Amazingly, 2 out of 3 were given a Democratic ballot and had to ask for the correct ballot only upon reviewing it in the voting booth. The one that did receive the correct ballot was my 84 year old mother (who for the first time in a decade was disqualified from working the polls because of my candidacy). Subsequent to these events, I heard several other voters mention that they were given the wrong ballot or did not see my name on their ballot.

I strongly believe there was nothing scandalous or nefarious afoot, rather plain old ineptitude due to limited training an oversight of the paid volunteers by the Board of Elections. The 4,000 ballots cast at this one-stop polling place were not counted until two days after the election, having been "overlooked" due to computer error. Once all votes were counted, I was within 8 votes (out of 28,000) of getting into the general election. As the only candidate qualified under NC statute to demand a recount, I did so. The results were upheld and the election certified by the Onslow County Board of Elections. My experience in one-stop, early voting in NC, illustrates that problems arise in any new attempts to serve the voter, and glitches worked out with experience.