Ed. Note - Following Hurricane Matthew, North Carolina Democrats sued the State Board of Elections director to extend the Oct. 14 voter registration deadline. On Oct. 14 Wake Superior Court Judge Don Stephens ordered the deadline extended to Oct. 19 for 36 counties in the eastern part of the state.

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North Carolina State Board of Elections
October 14, 2016

Court Extends Voter Registration in 36 Counties

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.

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North Carolina Democratic Party

Common Cause North Carolina calls for extending voter registration deadline in wake of Hurricane Matthew's impact

RALEIGH – North Carolina's voter registration deadline is approaching this Friday, even as thousands of the state's residents are still severely affected by Hurricane Matthew's impact. 

With 31 counties included in a federal disaster declaration, and road closures, power outages, evacuations and flooding continuing to be major problems, Common Cause North Carolina is calling on the State Board of Elections to extend the voter registration deadline for those areas impacted by the storm to Oct. 19.

While a court decision in July reinstated same-day voter registration for the early voting period from Oct. 20-Nov. 5, same-day registration does not apply for Election Day itself. As such, North Carolinians who miss this Friday's voter registration deadline would not have the option of voting on the Nov. 8 Election Day — unless the State Board of Elections extends the registration deadline.

"Thousands of North Carolinians continue to face loss of power, flooding and serious property damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. They should be able to focus on the safety and wellbeing of themselves and their families at this time, without the added concern about possibly missing an opportunity to vote," said Bob Phillips, executive director of the nonpartisan Common Cause North Carolina. "We believe the fair and responsible action for the State Board of Elections is to extend the voter registration deadline. We urge Gov. McCrory and legislators from the affected regions to join us in asking the State Board of Elections to extend the registration deadline."

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.