Phone Bank FAQs - NC House District 93
Democratic Candidate: Ray Russell
This district, which includes Ashe and Watauga counties (Boone area) in western North Carolina, presents some good news and a special challenge for 2020. The good news is that Democratic incumbent Ray Russell flipped the district blue in 2018, winning by a 4-point margin despite the districts’ slight Republican lean. The challenge is that Donald Trump was especially strong here in 2016, winning the district by over 12 points. With a strong, well-organized incumbent, Democrats are in a good position to hold this key district in 2020, but it should not be taken for granted.
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 MY CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE/ THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE?
Rep. Ray Russell is an Appalachian State computer science professor, known locally for his mountain weather forecasts at raysweather.com. He flipped this seat from red to blue in 2018. During his first term, Rep. Russell sponsored or co-sponsored 125 bills on his core campaign issues, which include education, health care, clean air and water, better government, and rural economic development. Visit his website for more information: rayfornc.com
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 ballots; 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: Ashe County / Watagua County
Election Day: Nov. 3
HOW DO 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 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.