• By Michelle Bobadilla
  • Posted Friday, January 17, 2020

NOTICE OF PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD MARCH 3, 2020

NOTICE OF PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD MARCH 3, 2020 FORSYTH COUNTY – NORTH CAROLINA

A primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 in Forsyth County to nominate candidates for the following offices: Constitution Presidential Preference, Democratic Presidential Preference, Green Presidential Preference, Libertarian Presidential Preference, and the Republican Presidential Preference; to nominate Democratic candidates for the following offices: US Senate (1 Seat), US House of Representatives 6th District (1 Seat), North Carolina Governor (1 Seat), North Carolina Lieutenant Governor (1 Seat), North Carolina Auditor (1 Seat), North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture (1 Seat), North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction (1 Seat), North Carolina Treasurer (1 Seat), North Carolina House of Representatives 71st District (1 seat), 72nd District (1 Seat), 75th District (1 Seat), Forsyth Clerk of Superior Court – Unexpired Term (1 Seat), Winston Salem Mayor (1 Seat), Winston Salem City Council – East Ward (1 Seat), North Ward (1 Seat), Northeast Ward (1 Seat), South Ward (1 Seat), and Southwest Ward (1 Seat); to nominate Republican candidates for the following offices: US Senate (1 Seat), US House of Representatives 6th District (1 Seat), 10th District (1 seat), North Carolina Governor (1 Seat), North Carolina Lieutenant Governor (1 Seat), North Carolina Attorney General (1 Seat), North Carolina Auditor (1 Seat), North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance (1 Seat), North Carolina Commissioner of Labor (1 Seat), North Carolina Secretary of State (1 Seat), North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction (1 Seat), North Carolina House of Representatives 75th District (1 seat), Forsyth County Board of Commissioners – District B (3 Seats), and Winston Salem City Council –West Ward (1 Seat); and to vote on a Forsyth County One-Quarter Cent (1/4?) Local Sales and Use Tax referendum.

Voters will not be required to show photo ID for the March 3, 2020 primary election. In a December 31 order, a federal district court blocked North Carolina’s voter photo ID requirement from taking effect. The injunction will remain in place until further order of the court. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the day of the election, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. One-stop early voting locations and schedule may be obtained by calling the Forsyth County Board of Elections or viewed on the web site, www.fcvotes.com One-stop early voting will be open from Thursday, February 13 until Saturday, February 29 at 3:00 p.m. The Forsyth County Board of Elections will meet Friday, March 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Forsyth County Government Center, to canvass the votes cast in the election in Forsyth County.

All five recognized political parties in North Carolina – Constitution, Democratic, Green, Libertarian and Republican – have primary ballots. Voters affiliated with a political party may only vote in their party’s primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose either the Democratic, Libertarian or Republican ballot, or a nonpartisan ballot. Those who are not already registered to vote in the county must register by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at the Forsyth County Board of Elections office located at 201 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voters who are not registered in the county by that deadline may register and vote during one-stop early voting only, and will be required to provide documentation of their identity and residence. In addition, voters who have moved since the last election, need to make address changes, change their party affiliation, or process a name change must do so by the registration deadline. Otherwise, a current Forsyth County registered voter who has moved within the county may transfer their precinct on Election Day according to the provision of G.S. 163-82.15 (e). Registration forms are also available at the Department of Motor Vehicles when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license, Forsyth County Public Libraries and www.fcvotes.com.

Requests for an absentee ballot must be made on an absentee request form (available online at www.fcvotes.com or in-person at the county board of elections office). An absentee request form is now valid only if returned to the county board of elections by the voter, the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, or a Multipartisan Assistance Team (MAT). The request form must be mailed or delivered in person to the voter’s county board of elections. Unlike past elections, request forms may not be emailed or faxed. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is Tuesday, February 25, 2020. An extension may be possible for voters with an illness or disability. Absentee voting requires the voter to complete an application on the ballot return envelope that must be witnessed by two qualified persons or a notary public. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the Forsyth County Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day (ballots received by mail after this time will be considered timely if they are received within three business days and postmarked on or before Election Day). If the voter lives in a facility such as a nursing home, and the voter’s near relative or legal guardian is not available, the voter or the facility may arrange to have the county board of elections schedule a visit by a Multipartisan Assistance Team to provide assistance and serve as witnesses.

Voters voting in person are entitled to assistance by an election official, or, if assistance is needed due to disability or illiteracy, by a qualified person of their choice. Voting sites are accessible to all voters. Curbside voting is available for voters who are not physically able to enter the voting sites. The voting places may be obtained by calling the Forsyth County Board of Elections or viewed on the web site,www.fcvotes.com. Persons with questions about registration, polling places, early voting, absentee ballots, a Multipartisan Assistance Team visit to a facility or other election matters may call the Forsyth Board of Elections Office at (336) 703- 2800, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This is the 16th day of January, 2020

Susan S. Campbell, Chairperson
Forsyth Board of Elections