Check your District Before you Vote

October 11th Election Day is two weeks away, but many voters may not realize that they’re in new districts for the Wake Board of Education and Raleigh City Council races.  Redistricting is the reality of any census year.  However, in this tight economy the Wake County Board of Elections lacked the funds to officially notify voters of their new districts or precincts.  A real shame and problem for many voters.

So before you vote in these municipal elections, go online to the Board of Elections Voter Lookup function to check your current voting district information.  Make sure your vote will be cast in the correct races. You can view official and unofficial maps online as well, and if you live well within the district lines and major roads your district is clear.  However, the maps leave out most residential streets, which is where the confusion lies for voters on the district borders. 

If you are online reading this, it is likely no big deal for you to click and find your district or precinct.  But remember your parents or grandparents who might not have internet access, or your friends who have lived in the same place for years and wouldn’t even consider that they’re in a different district.

Help yourself by looking up your district and polling place online today—and share this information to help your friends and neighbors to make sure they do the same.  If a voter goes to the wrong polling place they can either cast a provisional ballot, which will only be counted if there is a very close race, or they’ll be sent to another polling place.  Knowing your districts, candidates and polling place ahead of time will save a LOT of trouble on Election Day and make sure that all the votes count on October 11.

Raleigh voters can also vote on two bonds which will improve our community – one for transportation funding (geared towards transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists) and one for housing (assistance for low-income housing and aid for tornado victims).  More details at www.raleighbonds.com.

You can also vote early or request an absentee ballot to avoid the polling places this year.  Absentee voting (and on-site registration) is available in Raleigh at Wake County Board of Elections, 337 S. Salisbury Street.  You can still request an absentee ballot until October 4, 2011. 

Be informed, educated, involved, and take action by voting local on October 11.

By Tappan Vickery, WakeUP Wake County

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Politics , Other posts by Logan Mintz.