Phone Bank FAQs - NC House District 74
Democratic Candidate: Dan Besse
This district, located in Forsyth County (Winston-Salem area), has been slowly trending blue. Previously gerrymandered by the NC GOP to be a safe Republican seat, the district was redrawn by court order after the 2018 elections and now leans right by just a few points. Democratic primary turnout in Forsyth County increased 29% from 2016 to 2020 – a great sign of increasing Democratic enthusiasm in this area!
WHO IS CALLING?
Refer them to flipnc.org. We are an all-volunteer, independent grassroots group working to elect progressives/Democrats. If they ask for contact info, you must provide it. You can give them FLIP NC’s PO Box: PO Box 51236, Durham, NC 27727
WHO IS THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE?
Dan Besse is a North Carolina native, an attorney, and a five-term Winston-Salem City Council member. He is running to increase access to high-quality public schools, expand Medicaid, offer job opportunties for working families, and fight for clean air and water. Visit his website for more information: www.bessefornc.com
WHO IS MY CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE?
Our focus is on increasing name recognition for the Democratic candidate, but voters may ask about his opponent. The Republican incumbent, Debra Conrad, has blocked Medicaid expansion and repeatedly voted against increased education funding, instead voting for tax cuts for the wealthy. We’ll only mention her name if asked to keep the focus on the Democratic candidate.
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
North Carolinians who have a signature on file with the DMV can register or update their voter registration online. Voters can also register or update their voter registration at any early voting site in their county during early voting (Oct. 15-31) and then immediately cast their ballot. More info is available at www.youcanvote.org/getregistered. Voters without internet access and those with more questions can call 1-888-OUR-VOTE.
HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Any registered voter can Vote by Mail in North Carolina by requesting an absentee ballot – no excuse is needed. Voters do not lose anything by requesting an absentee ballot; they may still choose to vote in person and simply destroy their absentee ballot.
Absentee ballots are now being mailed to those who request them. You can now track your ballot at northcarolina.ballottrax.net.
Voters can now request an absentee ballot online through the State Board of Elections Absentee Ballot Request Portal at votebymail.ncsbe.gov. Those without internet access can still submit a paper absentee ballot request to their county board of elections.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the board of elections by 3 days after the election. Absentee ballots may also be returned in person to the county board of elections or any early voting site by a voter or a voter’s near relative (spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent, or stepchild).
For more info, send voter to www.youcanvote.org/vote-by-mail. Voters without internet access and those with more questions can call 1-888-OUR-VOTE.
WHEN CAN I VOTE IN NORTH CAROLINA?
Early Voting: Oct. 15-31
Voters can register/ update their registration and vote the same day during Early Voting (but not on Election Day) at any early voting site in the county in which they are registered to vote. Early voting sites and times for Forsyth County can be found here.
Election Day: Nov. 3
HOW DO I LOOK UP MY CURRENT REGISTRATION STATUS/POLLING LOCATION?
NC voters can look up their current registration status and find their polling location at the following link or by Googling “Am I registered to vote in NC” https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup
WHICH DISTRICTS AM I IN?
Most folks don’t know which districts they live in or who represents them, and it doesn’t help that many districts, including NC-H74, were redrawn after the last election. If voters are confused or would like to look up their current district(s)/ rep(s), they can do so here using their address: https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators
RESOURCES FOR HELP WITH ISSUES RELATED TO COVID-19
Dial 2-1-1 to reach NC’s information hotline and talk with a specialist.