Veronica Degraffenreid Elections Liaison 2011 Elections Directors Conference

Veronica Degraffenreid Elections Liaison 2011 Elections Directors’ Conference December 12 -13, 2011 THE NEW UOCAVA: The Sequel

Article 21 A UMOVA repealed Article 21. Military and overseas citizens absentee voting law is now contained in Chapter 163, Article 21 A of the General Statutes. Article 21 A is entitled “Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act. ”

How UMOVA Changes UOCAVA Expands FWAB Expands Method of Requesting Ballot Extends Ballot Return Deadline Expands Covered Voters Eliminates Witness Requirement Sets Time to Cast UOCAVA Ballot Sets New Deadline for Receipt of Cast Ballot Ability to Extend Request Scope Publication of Election Notice

FWAB Expanded G. S. § 163 -258. 11 Register to vote (NEW) • Received no later than the day before Election Day Request an absentee ballot (New) • Received no later than the day before Election Day Official military-overseas ballot -Valid for all offices (NEW) • Must be hand-counted

FWAB NO LONGER JUST A BACK-UP BALLOT

Expands Method of Requesting a Ballot GS § 153 -258. 7 FPCA FWAB State Absentee Request Form

Expands Who’s Covered GS § 163 -258. 2 An overseas voter who was born outside the United States, . . . , and, : • 1. The last place where a parent or legal guardian of the voter was, or under this Article would have been, eligible to vote before leaving the United States is within this State; and • 2. The voter has not previously registered to vote in any other state.

Eliminates Witness Requirement GS § 163258. 17 An authentication, . . . , is not required for execution of a document under this Article. The declaration and any information in the declaration may be compared against information on file to ascertain the validity of the document.

Sets Time to Cast UOCAVA Ballots G. S. § 163 -258. 10 Must be received no later than the close of the polls, or The covered voter must submit the ballot not later than 12: 01 A. M. , at the place where the voter completes the ballot, on the date of the election. See also G. S. § 163 -258. 12

Sets New Deadline for Receipt of Cast Ballots GS § 163258. 12 UOCAVA ballots are due by the close of polls on election day, or Timely cast ballots must be delivered to board of elections by the end of business on the business day before the canvass.

The Final Word Mailed Ballots Due the last business day before county canvass. Electronically Submitted Ballots Due by the close of polls on Election Day.

Methodology for Approving Ballots Timely Cast Valid Timely Receive d

Extends Scope of UOCAVA Requests GS § 163 -258. 8 Good for calendar year in which request was received. Voter has the option to extend the scope

UOCAVA Voters’ Email Addresses GS § 163258. 15 County Boards must request voters’ email addresses Request will be on Affirmation Must request separately when voter transmits FWAB

Publication of Election Notices GS § 163258. 16 NOTICE 100 Days before Regularly Scheduled Election Second primary -- the county board of elections shall prepare no later than the day following the date the appropriate board of elections orders that a second primary be held

UOCAVA Materials Container-return envelope UOCAVA Instructions (SEIMS) Quick Facts Publication Notice (SEIMS) Email Address Request Online FWAB Online FPCA

Changes to SEIMS Instruction Packet will be in SEIMS Publication Notice Track FWAB is a source Extend scope of UOCAVA requests Absentee Request Form will be in SEIMS

Other Absentee Materials Absentee Voting in NC New Civilian Request Form Absentee Voting Brochure