Notes on Absentee Voting Using the Accessible Ballot
NC visually impaired voters now have the ability to vote on-line with an accessible absentee ballot. One first has to make a request to use this ballot. Your Board of Elections will then inform you (by email) when you can proceed to use the online accessible ballot.
There are some confusing parts of the process which these notes seek to make more .clear.
The online portal for requesting the accessible absentee ballot is at
https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home
HOW TO USE THE PORTAL:
1) You need to use Option 1 on this page to request to use the online ballot. Click on Continue. You will be asked to identify yourself with first name, last name, date of birth (three drop down fields), and county (drop down field). Continue.
2) On the next page you need to enter either your driver license or DMV ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Continue.
3) If all is correct, you will get to the “Voter Confirmation” page. Continue.
4) You will get to a form which can be a challenge. There is a very long set of instructions before you get to the fields to be entered. Sighted help with this form may be very helpful.
5) Section 5 of the form asks where to mail the requested ballot even though this does not apply to to a request to use the online ballot. However, you must make a choice (choose the first option).
6) In section 6 be sure to check the box for requesting an accessible absentee ballot due to blindness or visual impairment.
7) In section 7, you will need to enter your email address and optionally, a phone number. so the Board of Elections can contact you.
8) You will get to a page that requires you to “sign” the form. This can be done with a stylus or your finger on a touch screen device. Otherwise, you must use your mouse to trace out your signature (can be a challenge to control). You will get opportunities to review your completed form and your signature. When satisfied, you will “submit” the form. You should get an email stating that you have submitted the form.
9) After 2-3 business days, you will get an email telling you that the accessible ballot is ready for you to fill out.
10) You then return to the portal page and choose Option 3. (Note: here is a link in the description for Option 3 which allows you to practice using the process. You can try this out at any time at https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/demo/app/home?qa=1 and follow the instructions there.)
11) After entering the same identifying information as above you will get to an information page that describes the steps for completing the online absentee ballot. You will be asked to assert that you are blind/visually impaired, identify your witnesses, etc before you get to the actual ballot. Fortunately the ballot itself works very well with screen readers.
12) You will need 2 (two) witnesses this year to be present while you fill out the absentee ballot (they do not need to be close to you for your privacy). You and each witness has to “sign” to complete the balloting process. One’s name can be typed in (if that option is chosen) or “written” using the mouse or other tracking device (as above).
13) After completing the ballot and providing the necessary signatures, there are several opportunities to review the ballot and other information. You have to go through each of these steps before you can submit the ballot “package”.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1) October 26 before 5pm is the last day you can request the accessible ballot. The ballot itself must be completed before 5pm on Election day.
2) Even if you request the online absentee ballot, it is still possible to vote in-person during early voting or on Election day if you choose not to submit the online ballot You can use the AutoMark system or do “curbside” voting. (If you have submitted the online ballot, do not attempt to vote in person).
DATES OF NOTE:
October 14-30: Early voting for November municipal elections (all counties)
October 26: Last day to request an online accessible absentee ballot (by 5pm)
November 2: Accessible ballot must be completed and submitted online (by 5pm).