[SoDu How-To] Prepare for the General Election in Durham

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In the 2020 general election, nearly 118,000 Durhamites voted early during the 17-day period ahead of Election Day.

This year, Durham early voting also lasts 17 days, but involves 12 sites rather than 14. The reduction is attributed to the elimination of Centers for Disease Control social-distancing requirements, suitable site availability, and the loss of some grant funding.

When Early Voting Starts and Ends

Early voting starts on Thursday, Oct. 17, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. The general election itself is held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Where to Vote Early

• Durham County Board of Elections, 3825 S. Roxboro St. Expected to have parking for more than 100 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• Cole Mill Church of Christ, 1617 Cole Mill Rd. Expected to have parking for about 60 vehicles and as many as 15 voting booths.
• Duke University Karsh Alumni Center, 2080 Duke University Rd. Expected to have parking for 70 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• Durham Tech Main Campus, 1613 Cooper St. Voting in the multipurpose room of the Ingram Center.
• East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln. Expected to have parking for 99 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Rd. Expected to have parking for about 40 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• Main Durham County Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. Expected to have parking for about 84 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• N.C. Central University Onestop, 640 Nelson St. Expected to have parking for 52 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• North Regional Library, 221 Milton Rd. Expected to have parking for 94 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• South Regional Library, 4505 S. Alston Ave. Expected to have parking for 79 vehicles and as many as 20 voting booths.
• Southern High School, 800 Clayton Rd. Voting in the fitness center.
• Zakat Foundation, 5110 Revere Rd. Expected to have parking for more than 50 vehicles and as many as 30 voting booths.

When to Vote Early

• Oct. 17-19: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 20: 2 to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 21-26: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 27: 2 to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 28-Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Durham Voting App

The Board of Elections launched a new mobile application, DCo Votes, to help Durham residents stay informed ahead of elections.

It’s free, available on the App Store for Apple devices and on the Google Play Store for Android devices. Information on the app includes:

• Election dates.
• Sample ballots.
• Personalized voter details.
• Voting method options.

North Carolina Voter ID

Starting with the municipal elections in 2023, North Carolina voters are now asked to show photo identification when voting. Most voters show their driver’s license, but other acceptable photo IDs include:

• State ID from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (also known as a “non-operator ID”). These IDs require the following documents: A document verifying age and identity (such as a birth certificate or unexpired passport), a Social Security card or document proving you’ve got an SSN (such as a 1099 tax form), and a document proving residency for U.S. citizens (such as a vehicle registration card, utility bill, or a housing lease).
• Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory (as long as the voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election.)
• U.S. passport or passport card.
• North Carolina voter photo ID issued by the county Board of Elections. To get that free ID, visit the Durham Board of Elections office during business hours except for the period between the end of early voting through the end of Election Day. No documents are needed. Just provide your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number using the request form provided by the elections office. After providing the information, your photo will be taken. Often, the ID is printed and given to voters onsite. However, sometimes it may be necessary to wait for it to come in the mail or pick it up later. The free voter photo ID will include photo, name, and registration number. It expires after 10 years.
• College or university ID approved by the state Board of Elections, including: Duke University, Durham Technical Community College, North Carolina Central University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the state Board of Elections, including Durham County government, KIPP Durham Elementary School, KIPP Durham Middle School
• Military or veterans ID card with photo, issued by the U.S. government.
• Tribal enrollment card with photo, issued by a tribe recognized by the state or the federal government.

Look at A Sample Ballot

I live in Voting Precinct 51. My jurisdictions include:

• Congressional District 4.
• N.C. Senate District 20.
• N.C. House District 29.
• Superior Court District 16B.
• Judicial District 16.
• Prosecutorial District 16.
• Municipality: Durham.
• City Council Ward: 3.
• Durham Public Schools District: 3B.

The current sample ballot for voters in my neighborhood is printed front and back, with ovals to be filled in for our choices.

On the front of the ballot, one finds the following races:

President and Vice President of the United States

• Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz (Democratic Party).
• Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat (Libertarian Party).
• Jill Stein and Rudolph Ware (Green Party).
• Randall Terry and Stephen E. Broden (Constitution Party).
• Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance (Republican Party).
• Cornel West and Melina Abdullah (Justice for All Party).

U.S. House of Representatives District 4

• Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic Party).
• Guy Meilleur (Libertarian Party).
• Eric Blankenburg (Republican Party).

N.C. Governor

• Mark Robinson (Republican Party).
• Mike Ross (Libertarian Party).
• Vinny Smith (Constitution Party).
• Josh Stein (Democratic Party).
• Wayne Turner (Green Party).

N.C. Lieutenant Governor

• Rachel Hunt (Democratic Party).
• Wayne Jones (Constitution Party).
• Hal Weatherman (Republican Party).
• Shannon W. Bray (Libertarian Party).

N.C. Attorney General

• Jeff Jackson (Democratic Party).
• Dan Bishop (Republican Party).

N.C. Auditor

• Bob Drach (Libertarian Party).
• Jessica Holmes (Democratic Party).
• Dave Boliek (Republican Party).

N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture

• Sean Haugh (Libertarian Party).
• Sarah Taber (Democratic Party).
• Steve Troxler (Republican Party).

N.C. Commissioner of Insurance

• Natasha Marcus (Democratic Party).
• Mike Causey (Republican Party).

N.C. Commissioner of Labor

• Luke Farley (Republican Party).
• Braxton Winston II (Democratic Party).

N.C. Secretary of State

• Elaine Marshall (Democratic Party).
• Chad Brown (Republican Party).

N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Maurice “Mo” Green (Democratic Party).
• Michele Morrow (Republican Party).

N.C. Treasurer

• Wesley Harris (Democratic Party).
• Brad Briner (Republican Party).

N.C. Supreme Court Justice Seat 6

• Jefferson G. Griffin (Republican Party).
• Allison Riggs (Democratic Party).

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 12

• Tom Murry (Republican Party).
• Carolyn Jennings Thompson (Democratic Party).

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 14

• Ed Eldred (Democratic Party).
• Valerie Zachary (Republican Party).

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 15

• Chris Freeman (Republican Party).
• Martin E. Moore (Democratic Party).

N.C. Senate District 20

• Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic Party).
• Christopher Partain (Republican Party).

N.C. House of Representatives District 29

• Vernetta Alston (Democratic Party).

N.C. District Court Judge District 16 Seat 7

• Kendra Montgomery-Blinn (Democratic Party).

Durham County Board of Commissioners

• Wendy Jacobs (Democratic Party).
• Mike Lee (Democratic Party).
• Stephen J. Valentine (Democratic Party).
• Nida Allam (Democratic Party).
• Michelle Burton (Democratic Party).

On the back of the ballot, we find:

Durham County Register of Deeds

• Sharon A. Davis (Democratic Party).

Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor (Non-Partisan)

• Ja’Nell Henry.

Constitutional Amendment

Provides that only a citizen of the United States who’s at least 18 and possesses qualifications shall be allowed to vote in any election in North Carolina.

City of Durham Parks and Recreation Bonds

Authorizes about $85 million in bonds to pay the costs of building, renovating, expanding, and improving city parks and their associated infrastructure.

City of Durham Streets and Sidewalk Bonds

Authorizes $115 million in bonds to pay the costs of improving streets and sidewalks throughout the city.