Election integrity and accessibility

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Bills related to election accessibility and integrity are making their way through the state legislature.

Senate Bill 724 is an act to expand access for visually impaired voters. On June 15, a federal judge ruled that North Carolina must provide an online portal for blind and visually impaired voters, and the State Board of Elections must provide Braille and large-print options for absentee-by-mail ballots, meet website accessibility standards, and have an accessibility coordinator.

People should not be denied their constitutional right to cast a ballot due to a disability. In making provisions for those circumstances, it’s also important to ensure their ballots are secure and accurately reflect their voting choices.

The Election Day Integrity Act (Senate Bill 326) would set 7:30 p.m. on Election Day as the deadline to accept absentee ballots. One of the objections from opponents is that mail delivery in rural areas may be delayed. 

To help address that issue, the early voting period could be extended, and the Election Commission would need to take steps to ensure voters understand the new deadline requirement. 

Ultimately though, voters must take responsibility for getting their ballots submitted by the deadline. In the days before early voting and voting-by-mail, we all knew if we wanted our ballot counted, we had to show up at the polls, stand in line, fill out the ballot, and drop it in the box or push the lever to submit the ballot. 

Despite some arguments to the contrary, we do not believe voter fraud is widespread here in Macon County, or in other areas. There may be documented irregularities in some elections, but those cases are few and far between. 

If you believe there is ongoing voter fraud and you don’t trust your fellow citizens who are working the polls, then be part of the solution. The local Board of Elections needs precinct workers during early voting and on Election Day. These are the people who ask voters for their name and address, operate the election voting machines and help voters to cast their votes. Representatives from both political parties help work the precincts. The precinct worker application is available on the Macon County Board of Election website. 

Apply to be a poll worker. Learn how the election process works. Be engaged in the process and you’ll realize that in Macon County the people working at the polls are your friends and neighbors – honest, decent people – who want the process to work.