Monday, November 4, 2024
Tuesday, November 5, is Election Day! More than 4.4 million North Carolinians have already cast their ballot through early voting and absentee voting. If you haven’t voted, you can find your polling place and a sample ballot here. Voting is a right for all eligible voters, so don’t let scammers steal your right to cast your ballot. Here are some tips to remember ahead of Election Day:
- Watch out for calls or messages giving you the wrong information. In past elections, we’ve seen scam calls that tell voters that polls have closed or that enough people have voted and you don’t need to cast your ballot. Polls are open in North Carolina from 6:30 a.m. EST to 7:30 p.m. EST. If you are in line when the polls close at 7:30 p.m. EST in North Carolina, you will be able to vote.
- You can’t vote or register to vote by text or email. Scammers might text or email you and offer you an option to submit your vote or register to vote via text message or by clicking on a link in a text or email. These are scams, intended either to deprive you of your right to vote or to steal your personal information. If you’re planning to vote on Election Day in North Carolina, you must either vote in person or return the absentee ballot you previously requested and received to your county board of elections office.
- You cannot get an absentee ballot by email, or text. While absentee/mail-in ballots are a safe and secure way to cast your ballot, voters may no longer request them for this election. If you are contacted by someone who says you can get an absentee ballot on Election Day instead of having to go to the polls, it’s a scam. Similarly, if someone calls you and says that if you pay a fee, they can help you correct errors in an absentee ballot you’ve already submitted, it’s a scam.
- You may get called by people who are polling to learn more about voting habits and preferences. It’s up to you whether you choose to participate in a legitimate poll, but remember that polling organizations will never ask for your Social Security number or other financial information. They also won’t offer you gift cards or other prizes for participating. If this happens, it’s a scam – contact our office’s Consumer Protection Division (www.ncdoj.gov/complaint).
- The FBI is warning of a campaign investment pool scam, where people who participate in the pool are told they will get a larger share of the winnings back if their chosen candidate wins. These are scams. If you donate to a political campaign, that money won’t be returned to you.
Spreading false information about the law to try to discourage or prevent someone from voting is illegal. If you suspect someone is spreading disinformation about the election, hang up and report the call to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. If you believe you’ve been the victim of an election scam attempt to get your personal information or your money, report it to our office’s Consumer Protection Division at www.ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. To get accurate information about your ballot and voting on Election Day, visit the State Board of Elections website at https://www.ncsbe.gov/, call 919-814-0700, or see the board’s tips for voting on Election Day here. Happy voting!