Please understand that absentee and election day voting are not substitutes for Early Voting.Not only does extended Early Voting meet my particular needs, other folks can register or update their registration. With the NC General Assembly changing the rules with every election, it’s important that voters have a chance to rectify any registration issues as you can’t resolve any problems on Election Day.

My recently widowed mother, 89, who is legally blind, still lives alone in her home outside Rowan County. I am grateful that I am retired and can help her manage staying in the home she and Dad shared. Since I am also responsible to get her to her numerous health appointments as well as her daily life, I do not know from one day to the other what my schedule will be. Early voting provides the flexibility I need and weekend days are essential as those are sometimes the only days others in the family can help Mom and I can go vote. 

Family has encouraged me to consider asking for an absentee vote, however I’m old fashioned and I like to vote in person. Please understand that absentee and election day voting are not substitutes for Early Voting. Not only does extended Early Voting meet my particular needs, other folks can register or update their registration. With the NC General Assembly changing the rules with every election, it’s important that voters have a chance to rectify any registration issues as you can’t resolve any problems on Election Day. Early voting allows voters to show ID in-person at the polling location and clear up any issues. Also, I don’t who thought that everyone voting by mail has a printer at home. If you have to go to the library, to make a photo-copy of your ID, you might as well head to Early Voting and vote from your car. (if you have one!) 

Voting by mail-in voting requires a lot of coordination and planning and to be honest, I fill out enough forms for mom. I just want to go vote and not worry about photo copies and witnesses or a notary. And don’t even let me start with how the U.S. Postal Service no longer makes a simple delivery within the same county without us having to worry if it will really get there in 2 days like we used to depend upon.  Why do lawmakers in Raleigh and D.C. keep making it harder for people to use their constitutional right to vote? 

Please add Saturdays and Sundays!