Our State League published the following guide outlining “What Happens After You Vote”.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU VOTE IN NC ?
AFTER EACH ELECTION, NC CONDUCTS A SERIES OF POST ELECTION-AUDITS
In North Carolina, as in every state, there is a system of checks to assure election
results are accurate. Results on election night are unofficial. During the 10 days
following an election, election officials conduct a series of post-election audits.
This process culminates when the County Board of Elections holds its Canvass
meeting 10 days after Election Day to officially certify the results.
HOW DO WE ENSURE THE NUMBER OF BALLOTS CAST
IS ACCURATE?
When you vote, you fill out an authorization to vote (ATV) form along with your
ballot. Authorization to Vote (ATV) forms are collected to show a record of voters’
voting history. Your ballot is read by a machine. Election workers compare the
number of ATV forms with the number of ballots cast. These numbers should
typically match, but there can be some valid exceptions, like if a voter checked in
but decided not to vote.
HOW DO WE ENSURE ALL VALID BALLOTS ARE CAST?
Prior to each election, voting equipment is subject to logic and accuracy testing to ensure its
working properly. After each election, every County Board of Elections conducts a sample audit.
The State Board of Elections tells each County their assigned contest and two randomly
selected voting sites to audit. These sites may include an Election Day precinct, one-stop site, or
that county’s absentee by mail ballots. A bi-partisan team of trained volunteers conducts a
hand-to-eye count of a contest among the voting sites. They compare the results of the hand-to-eye count with the results from the voting machines. The purpose of this is to ensure both counts are identical. This verifies the accuracy of the machine count. The process is open to the public.
HOW DO WE ENSURE VOTING EQUIPMENT READS
VOTERS’ CHOICES ACCURATELY?
In North Carolina, as in every state, there is a system of checks to assure election
results are accurate. Results on election night are unofficial. During the 10 days
following an election, election officials conduct a series of post-election audits.
This process culminates when the County Board of Elections holds its Canvass
meeting 10 days after Election Day to officially certify the results.
HOW ARE VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT REQUESTS
AUTHENTICATED?
To vote by mail, a voter must first fill out an absentee ballot request form. Once a voter
is determined to be eligible they will receive their ballot. They must sign their name and
have two witnesses or a notary sign their name on the ballot return envelope. County
Boards of Elections review returned absentee ballot envelopes. They meet weekly to
vote to approve or reject absentee-by-mail ballots. These meetings begin on the fifth
Tuesday before an election and are open to the public. Any voter can track their
absentee-by-mail ballot using NC’s online BallotTrax system.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS BallotTrax
NCVOTERGUIDE.ORG: For candidate information and non-partisan voter guides.
NCVOTER.ORG: Visit ncvoter.org for more information on how to vote in North
Carolina including upcoming deadlines, early voting locations and more.
CALL THE HOTLINE: Have trouble voting? Call for help anytime: 1-888-OUR-VOTE
LEARN HOW NC VOTING MACHINES ARE TESTED: Watch this video to learn more
about NC voting equipment is tested for logic and accuracy before each election.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ELECTION SECURITY: Click here to learn about all the steps
taken in NC to ensure the safety and security of our elections and what you can do to