North Carolina's ballots were scheduled to start going out on Friday, but a legal battle has caused a delay. The North Carolina State Election Board is seeking the state Supreme Court's intervention to overturn a lower court ruling that ordered the removal of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name from the ballot. This dispute has put county election officials in a holding pattern until the issue is resolved, highlighting the state's significance as a critical battleground in the upcoming election.
The delay in sending out ballots has raised concerns as it marks the official start of the voting process for the general election. Both the Trump and Harris campaigns are intensifying their efforts in North Carolina, recognizing its pivotal role in determining the outcome of the race for the White House.
North Carolina, a state that Trump narrowly won in the previous election, is once again expected to be closely contested. Recent polling suggests another tight race in November, making it a key focus for both campaigns. The Harris campaign is making a strong push to turn the state blue, investing in a robust ground game and voter education initiatives.
One of the key issues in North Carolina is the changes in absentee voting requirements, including the need for two witness signatures and a photocopy of an ID, as well as the deadline for returning the ballots by election day. Despite some mixed messaging on mail-in voting at the national level, Republicans in North Carolina are encouraging absentee voting and emphasizing the importance of having a voting plan.
As the election season heats up, voters in North Carolina and other battleground states are gearing up to cast their ballots either by mail or in person. The anticipation is high among voters, with one eager North Carolina resident poised to be the first to return their ballot, eager to participate in the democratic process.
