Deadline to register or update your registration is Friday

The Rowan County Board of Elections has been notified of several individuals around Salisbury who say they are collecting voter registrations.

Some of these individuals have identified themselves as being a part of the “elections.” These are not employees of the Rowan County Board of Elections, nor do they represent the Rowan County Board of Elections.

Reports have also been received that these individuals may be misinforming citizens that if they do not register or update their information with them, then there will be a fee. This is not the case.

If you are unsure of your registration status, please contact the Board of Elections Office at 704-216-8140.

Here’s a Q&A on registering to vote:

Q: Who is eligible to register to vote in Rowan County? 

A: Currently, you are eligible to vote as long as you can answer yes to the following statements:

1: You have been a Rowan County resident for 30 days prior to an election.
2: You are a U.S. citizen either by birth or naturalization.
3: You are 18 years of age or will be by Nov. 8.
4: If you have been convicted of a felony, you have completed all parts of your sentence for the felony conviction or have been pardoned.

If you can answer yes to all of these statements, you can register to vote. If you register to vote using false information you can be convicted of a Class I felony.

Q: Do I have to register again for every election?

A: As long as you are an active voter in Rowan County and your address has not changed, there is no need to re-register before every election. If you are unsure of the status of your voter registration, you can call the Board of Elections at 704-216-8140 and ask someone to check the status of your registration.

Q: I just moved. Can I transfer my voter registration? 

A: No. If your residence changes within the county (you moved but stayed in Rowan County) you simply need to update your address with the elections office. However, if you move to another county or state, you will need to complete a new voter application in the county or state that you moved to.

You will need to be sure and complete the previous address information on your new application. This will help in the process of removing your registration from the Rowan County voter registration books. It is unlawful to knowingly register and vote in more than one location.

Q: How can I get an application to register to vote? 

A: There are several ways:

• By calling the elections office at 704-216-8140 and requesting that an application be mailed to you. You can complete the application and mail it in.
• By finding the Forms link on the county Board of Elections website. (Go to http://www.rowancountync.gov and find Board of Elections in the Departments.) Print out the application, complete it and take it to the elections office in West End Plaza or mail it in.
• While conducting business at the Driver’s License Bureau (DMV).

You can also obtain a registration form/application in local libraries, high schools and other social services offices, for example: Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Food Stamps, Medicaid, Services for the Blind, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Governor’s Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities, Employment Security Commission, Division of Motor Vehicles and a variety of disability service agencies.

Q: Where is the Rowan County Board of Elections? 

A: In West End Plaza, 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd W., Suite D10.

Q: What’s the deadline for voting in this year’s election?

A: This Friday is the last day to register or make changes to your registration.