Can you help someone fill out a ballot in NC? What to know about voter assistance laws

Millions of North Carolinians are registered to vote in the upcoming election, but some may need help filling out their ballots.

The state has laws on who can help cast your ballot — and the rules they have to follow. Here’s what to know about getting help to fill out your ballot in North Carolina.

Can I help someone fill out their ballot in NC?

Yes. North Carolina law allows registered voters to request assistance from some family members with preparing their ballots.

The law also says some voters can request assistance from a person of their choice. This includes voters who are unable to:

• Enter a voting booth due to physical disability

• Mark a ballot due to physical disability

• Mark ballots due to illiteracy

• Enter a voting booth or mark a ballot due to blindness

How to get help filling out your ballot in-person

You can request help filling out your ballot from the chief judge at your polling location, according to state law.

If you are eligible for assistance, the chief judge will ask you to select the person you want to help you. If that person is eligible, they will be allowed to assist you with your ballot.

What rules are there for the person who helps you with your ballot?

State law says the person who helps you fill out your ballot at voting sites is not permitted to:

• Persuade you to vote a certain way

• Document anything that occurs in the voting booth

• Reveal the choices on your ballot to any person

How to get help filling out your absentee ballot

If you are a blind or visually impaired, you (or a relative or legal guardian) can request, mark and return an accessible absentee ballot online through a system that is compatible with screen readers and that allows for a digital or typed signature. The deadline to request absentee ballots is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Here’s how to request an accessible absentee ballot:

1. Select “Option 1 – Request an Absentee Ballot” at the NC Absentee Ballot Portal (votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home) to complete and submit your request form online.

2. Make sure to check the box indicating that you require an accessible ballot due to visual impairment. You will receive an email confirming your request. The request may take several days to process. Your county board of elections will notify you via email when your ballot is ready.

3. Mark and return your ballot. The deadline to complete and submit the accessible ballot online is 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Before marking your ballot, make sure two witnesses are present. A witness can be any person over the age 18 that is not a candidate running for office, unless the candidate is a close relative.

Your two witnesses must complete the witness information and sign their names. If someone assists you with your ballot, they must sign their name and complete the assistant information. A person who assists you can also serve as one of your witnesses.

This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Can you help someone fill out a ballot in NC? What to know about voter assistance laws."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.