Is it for real? An editorial in Monday?s New York Times says North Carolina?s ballots may be the worst in the country. Following news reports (here and here and here) across the state warned of the problems with the North Carolina ballot. Feeling a little apprehensive, even though this is the same ballot that?s been used in North Carolina since the 1960s and the only one I?ve ever used, I was determined to exercise my constitutional right and hoped I was smart enough for the task.
After reading the news reports and anticipating difficulty and confusion, I thought it prudent to check for instructions before heading out.
The NC Republican Party instructed me to ? First, mark your ballot for
John McCain for President and Sarah Palin for Vice President at the top
of your ballot. Second, mark the Straight Party for the Republican
ticket just under the Presidential Contest. Third, turn your ballot
over and vote for judges and local elected nonpartisan offices.
From the NC Democratic Party, I got this advice: ?But remember, voting straight ticket Democrat does not include the races for President or any of the judicial races, so don’t forget Obama or any of your Democratic Judges. First, cast your vote for Obama for President. Then, vote the Straight Democratic ticket Finally, Flip the ballot over and vote for the Democratic judges on the reverse side.
The Libertarians don?t have voting instructions on their website but they do have information on their pending lawsuit about lower ballot access requirements in North Carolina, which are among the most restrictive in the country.
The Board of Elections provides sample ballots in case you want to review and practice at home before heading out for the real thing. They also provide information for early voting (Saturday’s the last day) and everything needed for the big day on Nov. 4.
Even Barak Obama gave advice on the NC ballot from his rally on Halifax Mall. He reportedly told the crowd, ?You have to vote for president separately.?
After checking in with the election officials (without being asked for any identification or proof of residency) I was handed my ballot. The election official explained that it was necessary to vote in both the presidential contest AND either a straight ticket or each race individually. The instructions were complete with pencil pointing to the applicable sections of the ballot and I was encouraged to ask any questions I might have about the process.
In addition, I was handed a slip of paper with the following instructions:
PLEASE NOTE:
A ?straight party? vote does not include the office of president or any nonpartisan race or issue. You must vote for president/vice president separately from the other offices. Nonpartisan offices and issues also must be voted separately. More detailed instructions are on your ballot. For paper ballots, be sure to turn the ballot over.
Reading the ballot, it says clearly at the top, under the presidential contest section that these offices ?are not included in a Straight Party vote and must be voted separately.? And again on the ballot, under the straight party voting section, the ballot explains that a straight party vote does not vote for a presidential candidate or non-partisan offices.
Finally, there were plenty of very helpful election workers on hand and available to answer any questions. They were pleasant, courteous and told me everything about voting except who to vote for.
North Carolina?s alleged ballot confusion may very well become the ?hanging chad? of the 2008 elections and tie up the results in court for years but having survived the ordeal, I can report that it is easy, painless and not so confusing at all.
You should try it. As William Simon said, ?Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don’t vote.?
