NC NAACP Statement on Reports of Problems with Electronic Voting Machines in Certain Counties: Every Voter Has the Right to Review Your Ballot Before It is Submitted
October 24, 2016
The North Carolina NAACP has now received reports from NC NAACP membership in at least 5 counties that, in some instances, electronic voting machines may be malfunctioning and improperly identifying a voters’ selected choice as a choice for a different candidate. Voters report that they have experienced this problem voting on ballot items that include, but are not limited to, the Presidential ballot. In all instances of which we are currently aware, voters were able to fix the problem by reviewing their choices and fixing the error before submitting their electronic ballots.
“Throughout the early voting period and on election day itself, on behalf of our membership, the NC NAACP and our partners will be investigating all complaints received by our members, and by voters our members are assisting across the state,” said Rev. Dr. William Barber II, President. “We are gravely serious at this time about protecting the voting rights of North Carolinians. No voter should feel intimidated in this election or concerned that your vote will not count. Your voice is urgently needed and, in this year, in the wake of our historic voting rights victory in NC NAACP v. McCrory, we will not allow any rumors, confusion, or misguided forces of voter suppression to turn us around.”
STATEMENT TO VOTERS ON YOUR RIGHTS
Today, in an abundance of caution, the NC NAACP is asking any voter who experiences a problem with a voting machine, or other problems that leave you worried about whether your vote has been correctly counted to immediately call the national voter protection hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE. You can also text your information directly to the NC NAACP at 1-919-308-9085.
EVERY VOTER WHO USES AN ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE HAS THE CHANCE TO REVIEW YOUR BALLOT!
When you go to cast your ballot using an electronic voting machine, once you have recorded your choice, every machine provides you with a confirmation screen that shows your ballot choices. Please review this screen carefully to ensure that your voting choices are correctly recorded. You have the right to review this screen for as long as you need! If a machine malfunctions, or appears to be improperly recording your choice, please report the issue to the Chief Judge at your polling place. You may also ask for a regular paper ballot to ensure that your vote is properly recorded. As an eligible voter, you do not need to use a provisional ballot.
STATEMENT TO THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
The NC NAACP urges the State Board of Elections to take each report received of this kind of malfunction seriously and to take immediate action to assist County Boards of Elections to make efficient and effective remedies to maintain confidence and trust in the elections.
In a letter sent to the State Board of Elections today, the NC NAACP provided information to the Board about the following counties where NC NAACP branches have received reports of malfunctioning machines: Cumberland, New Hanover, Iredell, Mecklenburg, and Catawba. We will continue to update the State Board as we receive additional reports.
“As an initial stopgap for this problem,” Dr. Barber explained, “we have requested that the State Board of Elections immediately provide all County Board of Elections that use electronic machines with (1) new signage that can be placed at all stations that reminds voters to check and confirm choices using the review screen before submitting your ballot and (2) offers voters the opportunity to use a regular paper ballot if the machine is malfunctioning. Where a County Board does not have a paper ballot back-up available, we ask that the SBOE immediately help to rectify that.”
In every election, there are cases where electronic machinery has problems. We ask the State Board to alert voters immediately of what efforts are being made to remove or fix malfunctioning machines. The NC NAACP encourage all voters to express your fundamental right to vote with pride and vigilance this election. North Carolina is our Selma!
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