Changes may help keep NC mail-in ballots from being voided

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina State Board of Elections is making changes that will potentially keep mail-in ballots from being voided.

The board will allow local offices to contact voters if officials find a problem with their mail-in ballot.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS IN NC DENIED DUE TO THESE SIMPLE MISTAKES, ELECTION OFFICIAL SAYS

The move comes during the pandemic when many more North Carolinians will vote by mail.

"Say a voter doesn't sign in the right place, or they forget to sign, or their witness doesn't put their state on the address line," Communications and Public Engagement Department Director Lillian Govus said. "What we can do is come back and cure those ballots. So that means we reach back out to the voter and we get an affidavit that ensures that ballot is their ballot."

So far, incomplete witness information is the main problem with the absentee ballot envelopes.

VOTE 2020: WNC VOTER ELECTION GUIDE

Previous guidance would require those voters to cast a new ballot.