RALEIGH, N.C. – Within the past hour, Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens ordered that the regular voter registration deadline be extended until close of business on Wednesday (October 19) in 36 counties receiving assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.
“Our agency appreciates Judge Stephens’ thoughtful consideration of this matter and will fully comply with his order,” said Kim Westbrook Strach, State Board executive director.
The deadline extension will be in effect in the following counties:
Beaufort County, Bertie County, Bladen County, Brunswick County, Camden County, Carteret Count, Chowan County, Columbus County, Craven County, Cumberland County, Currituck County, Dare County, Duplin County, Edgecombe County, Gates County, Greene County, Harnett County, Hoke County, Hyde County, Johnston County, Jones County, Lenoir County, Nash County, New Hanover County, Onslow County, Pamlico County, Pasquotank County, Pender County, Perquimans County, Pitt County, Robeson County, Sampson County, Tyrrell County, Washington County, Wayne County, and Wilson County.
In the other 64 counties, the regular voter registration deadline ends today. Would-be voters may still register and vote at the same time during the 17-day early voting period, which begins Thursday (October 20) and runs through November 5.
“Same-day registration is available during the three-week period after the regular registration deadlines,” Strach said. “We encourage those displaced by Hurricane Matthew to take advantage of same-day registration opportunities throughout their county.”
Please visit www.ncsbe.gov for more information.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections is the state agency charged with overall responsibility for administration of the elections process and campaign finance disclosure in North Carolina. The office of the State Board of Elections works in conjunction with County Board of Elections offices to ensure that elections are conducted lawfully and fairly.
For additional information visit North Carolina State Board of Elections website at www.ncsbe.gov. For more on Voter ID visit www.voterid.nc.gov.