The first Lunch & Learn of our program year held on National Voter Registration Day and the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment was highly topical.

The event featured a panel of three impressive women: Retired Judge Yvonne Mims Evans, Delores Johnson Hurt, President of the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, and Melody Crowder-Meyer, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Davidson College. With the upcoming election taking place during a national pandemic, civic unrest and controversy, Ms. Hurt began by commenting, “this has been called the most important election of our lifetime.” The non-partisan conversation included tips on voting this fall, how to get involved in and influence the political process, voter fraud, voter rights and voter suppression, and ended with a call to action. One of the biggest topics was absentee voting. Over 18,000 mail-in ballots have already been received in Mecklenburg County, and all of the panelists agreed that the significant increase in mail-in voting, as well as the differentiation by state as to when these votes will be counted, will have an impact on when the election is decided, perhaps days or weeks after election day.

Historically, requests for provisional ballots have been evenly distributed by party, yet that has not been the case this year. In North Carolina, the demographics of those requesting mail in ballots thus far this year are: 30% female Democrats, 18% male Democrats, 9% female Republicans and 8% male Republicans. If the partisan trend of mail-in voting continues, the earlier in-person election results could lean Republican and the later mail-in count could lean Democrat. North Carolina will begin processing mail-in votes on September 29, 2020. What do we need to know about voting in the upcoming elections? Judge Evans and Ms. Hurt provided some valuable information about voting. First and foremost, be aware of the dates and deadlines!

Mail-in, or Absentee Voting:
• Absentee ballots can be requested now through the Board of Elections, with a request deadline of October 27, 2020.
• You can also vote in person at the Board of Elections office (741 Kenilworth Avenue) by October 31, 2020.
• Absentee ballots need to be postmarked by November 3, and received by the Board of Elections by November 6, 2020.
– Complete the ballot correctly, and make sure you and a witness sign the envelope, including the address of the witness.
– Don’t wait until the deadline! If there are any issues with the ballot, give yourself time to correct them.
• Only immediate family members (spouse, parent, child or in-law) or legal guardians may mail or hand-deliver the ballots. Anyone over the age of 18 can witness the ballot.
• Return your ballot by mail, drop off at one of the early voting sites, or directly to the Board of Elections office. You may not return your ballot to a polling place on Election Day. However, you may choose to vote in-person rather than absentee, even if you have requested (but not yet submitted) an absentee ballot.
• Track where your ballot stands through BallotTrax.

In-Person Voting:
• Early voting begins October 15 and runs through October 31. There are 33 early voting sites in Mecklenburg County.
• You can also vote at your precinct on November 3. If you have moved since the last election, make sure your registration is properly reflected at your new precinct.

What is the status of Voter ID laws and other voter requirements in North Carolina?
Judge Evans underscored that that voter IDs will not be required in the upcoming election. While a Constitutional Amendment was passed to require voter ID in North Carolina, several lawsuits have been filed contesting the amendment and have not yet been resolved. The panelists agreed that research has shown that there is little in the way of voter fraud, and that tracking systems developed for mail-in voting will preclude duplicate voting. Ms. Hurt noted that a bigger concern remains voter suppression, which includes the registration process, the number and location of polling placed and voting hours, and the witness requirement for mail-in votes.

Judge Evans also described the process convicted felons must undergo in order to retain their right to vote in North Carolina. After up to nine months of post-release supervision and the completion of probation, they must register to vote again, as their past registration became ineligible after conviction. Though some states require individuals to pay fines or fees prior to regaining the right to vote, North Carolina does not.

How can we get more involved in the political process?
In answering the question, “Why don’t more candidates look like us?” Dr. Crowder-Meyers discussed the three stages of the election process and what we can do to influence change:
• Identifying candidates. Women, people of color and lower-income individuals run less often, but when they do run, they typically win at similar levels. She encouraged WIF
members to run for office, or to encourage others we trust to run for office.
• Providing support. The political ‘elite’ tend to support and give money to candidates who look more like them. She encouraged us to support candidates by coordinating donations, or even something as simple as offering to watch a candidate’s children while she runs her campaign.
• Voting. Voters tend to have “subconscious prejudices” based on the candidate’s looks or last name, particularly if there is not a lot of information available. Dr. CrowderMeyers encouraged us all to be informed, thoughtful and intentional when we vote, and work to eliminate any subconscious prejudices, particularly in “low information elections” where not a lot is known about the candidate or the office.

How can I get information on the candidates?
Ms. Hurt suggested Vote411.org, an online resource created by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, which asks candidates to provide information and answer a consistent set of questions. Provide your address and find information on each of the candidates on your ballot. All of the panelists encouraged us to watch the debates and to read and support our local newspaper and public radio station.

What is your call to action?
Delores Johnson Hurt: Join the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg! We are a non-partisan organization, which does not support any party or candidate. Anyone over the age of 16 can join, including men! Informed voting is so important. Vote early!
Ret. Judge Yvonne Mims Evans: Educate yourself on the races from the top to the bottom of the ballot – and don’t forget the judges! Talk to others about your choices and encourage them to vote.
Dr. Melody Crowder Meyer: Make your voting plan. Request a ballot. Call your friends and encourage them to do the same. Run for office or encourage others to run!