Mythbuster Archive
Listen to Reality, Not Rumors
The State Board of Elections started “Mythbuster Monday,” a social media series focused on debunking popular myths in North Carolina elections and elections at large. Misinformation can lead to confusion and damage the public’s trust in elections. Through these posts, we aim to educate the public and serve as a trusted source of election information.
We will update this page as new posts are published. To view these and much more, follow the State Board on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Have a Question You’d Like Answered or a Myth You Want to Be Debunked?
Email the State Board at misinformation@ncsbe.gov. For more regarding the effort to stop the spread of mis- and disinformation, visit Combating Misinformation.
Mythbuster Monday Posts
Sept. 20, 2021
Reality: When you move within your county, you should complete a change of address. Update your registration.
Rumor: If I move within my county, I don't need to update my registration.
Sept. 13, 2021
Reality: Each voter has an assigned precinct on Election Day. To find your polling place, use the Voter Search.
Rumor: I can vote at any polling place in my county on Election Day.
Sept. 6, 2021
Reality: If your county/municipality offers early voting, you can register to vote and vote through same-day registration during the early voting period.
Rumor: If I miss the voter registration deadline, I can't vote in the upcoming election.
Aug. 30, 2021
Reality: Your vote does matter. Elections are decided by those who show up. Municipal elections, which can be decided by one vote, take place this fall throughout NC. Find out how to register.
Rumor: My vote doesn’t matter.
Aug. 23, 2021
Reality: Provisional ballots, as well as eligible absentee ballots received after Election Day, are added to results post-election.
Rumor: If election night results change in the following days, the process must be compromised, so I can’t trust the results.
Aug. 16, 2021
Reality: Municipal elections give voters the chance to elect local officials who make important decisions that affect their community, friends, and family. Learn more about upcoming municipal elections.
Rumor: Municipal elections don't matter.
Aug. 9, 2021
Reality: 91 counties are holding elections for one or more municipalities this year. Other municipal elections are delayed until 2022 to allow for redistricting.
Rumor: Every municipality is having an election in 2021.
Aug. 2, 2021
Reality: Election officials conducted a series of audits of the 2020 general election and found no evidence of fraud. Learn about the 2020 election certification.
Rumor: No audit has been conducted of the 2020 election.
July 26, 2021
Reality: All provisional ballots found to be eligible are counted for every contest.
Rumor: Provisional ballots are only counted in close contests.
July 19, 2021
Reality: To certify election results, some military, provisional, and absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day are counted after Election Day.
Rumor: Results are determined on Election Day.
July 13, 2021
Reality: State law allows the State Board to extend voting hours at sites where voting is interrupted for at least 15 minutes on Election Day. It's fairly common.
Rumor: Extending voting hours past 7:30 p.m. is illegal.
July 5, 2021
Reality: Different parties routinely win statewide races in the same year in NC. In 2016, Republican Donald Trump won the presidential race, but Democrat Roy Cooper won the governor’s race.
Rumor: Democrats and Republicans can’t win statewide elections in the same year.
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