Early in-person voting has commenced in two crucial battleground states, Georgia and North Carolina, with Georgia already witnessing a surge in voter turnout. Georgia set a new record for early voting on Tuesday, with over 188,000 votes cast by mid-afternoon.
Legislative changes and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene are expected to impact the voting experience for many citizens in these states. In Georgia, voters can start casting their ballots on Tuesday, while in North Carolina, early in-person voting begins on Thursday.
Changes in Voting Procedures
New state laws in Georgia have tightened rules for absentee ballots and reduced the availability of drop boxes, potentially making early in-person voting a more attractive option for voters. Drop boxes, which were widely used in 2020, are now less accessible, leading to a shift towards in-person voting.
Georgia law now mandates two Saturdays of early voting and allows for two Sundays of early voting if counties choose to do so. However, a recent law banning the offering of food or drinks to voters waiting in line has faced legal challenges but remains largely in effect.
Post-Election Uncertainty
In Georgia, new rules passed by the State Election Board, backed by former President Donald Trump, have raised concerns about the post-election process. These rules include a hand count of ballots at each voting location, potentially delaying result reporting.
North Carolina, on the other hand, is dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, with state officials working to ensure residents can still vote. The State Board of Elections has provided updates on relocated polling places and procedures for displaced voters.
Changes in Voting Requirements
North Carolina residents are now required to present identification when voting, with acceptable forms including driver's licenses, passports, and approved student photo IDs. Voters unable to provide ID due to a natural disaster can fill out an exception form to accompany their ballot.
Additionally, voters in North Carolina must ensure their mail-in ballots are received by 7:30 p.m. ET on Election Day, as the grace period for late ballots has been eliminated since the last presidential election.
Despite these changes, voters are still permitted to use their phones in polling places for informational purposes, although taking selfies is prohibited.
