CHARLOTTE, N.C. — We are a little less than three months out from the November election. With that, people have questions they’re already sending to WCNC Charlotte's Verify team.
One viewer asked what happens if someone writes on your ballot. James W. emailed the Verify team asking if a poll worker writes on his ballot, if he needs to request a new one, wondering if the writing makes it disqualified.
THE QUESTION
If a poll worker writes on your ballot, should you request a new one?
THE ANSWER
No, if you vote before Election Day a poll worker marks your ballot, that does not void your ballot and you don’t have to request a new one.
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
Dickerson said the answer is pretty straightforward.
"That's not true in North Carolina," he said.
Dickerson said in fact, for early voting, poll workers have to write on your ballot.
"It is required that for early voting, or for absentee by mail voting, that we actually have to put a marking on that ballot," he said. "We have to, in early voting for us, on the back of your blank ballot card that you insert into the express vote, we actually put a retrievable number."
According to the North Carolina Board of Elections, this number allows the ballot to be retrieved if necessary based on a voter challenge, such as if the voter dies before election day or double votes.
Election Day ballots, however, are not retrievable and will not have writing on them unless they are provisional ballots, in which case they may be marked with a “P."
These rumors, Dickerson said, have been going around for a while now. He said the voting machines have safeguards to protect your ballot.
"If there is a stray mark on your ballot, it will actually reject that ballot for you," he said. "So take your time, fill in your ovals, or make your selections if you're using the express vote, and review those before you vote and insert it into the machine the tabulator."
WCNC Charlotte's Verify series is all about trying to make sure the community has the correct information on news that impacts them. WCNC Charlotte outlines concisely what we know and what we don't know. Sometimes the answer can be surprising. Watch previous stories where we verify social media claims in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit VERIFY.