Elections Terminology for New County Board Members and Staff

State Board TrainingElections 101: Getting Back To Basics

(For New Directors and CBE Members)

Don Wright, General CounselAugust 2014

Need to be Uniform

We have found that confusion is sometimes created when we deal with the public and candidates where different terms are used for election items or processes. Not only do we need to use consistent terms, but we need to correct term misuse, such as candidates using the term “precinct workers” to describe their campaign workers. Precinct workers are the Judges and assistants.

Absentee Ballots

The mandated county boards meetings required by GS 163-230.1(c1) are to approve absentee ballot applications, not absentee ballots.

Preparatory actions allowed under GS 163-234 does not include counting ballots.

One-Stop Absentee Voting

One –stop absentee voting is not to be called “early voting.” It is one-stop absentee voting.

We do not call mail-in absentee ballot voting “early voting” just because it occurs prior to

election day.

ATV Labels

These are called Authorization to Vote labels, not “tags” or “stickies.” It is OK to use the term “ATV” in lieu of “Authorization to Vote.”

List Maintenance Do not use the term “purge.”

List Maintenance mailings are “no contact” mailings.

Confirmation mailings are used in list maintenance. Don’t use the term “verification

mailings” except in the context of voter registration.

Voters Have Four Status

• Active

• Inactive

• Denied

• Removed

You Don’t Vote at a Precinct

• "Voting booth" means the private space in which a voter is to mark an official ballot.

• "Voting enclosure" means the room within the voting place that is used for voting.

• "Voting place" means the building or area of the building that contains the voting enclosure.

• “Voting location” is the place within the precinct where the voting place is located.

“Elections”

"Election" means the event in which voters cast votes in ballot items concerning proposals or candidates for office in this State or the United States. The term includes primaries, general elections, referenda, and special elections. GS 163-165(4).

You Don’t Sign a Canvass.It is a Process.

"Abstract" refers to a document signed by the members of the board of elections showing the votes for each candidate and ballot proposal on the official ballot in the election. GS 163-182(1)

"Certificate of election" means a document prepared by the legally authorized official or body to confer upon a candidate the right to assume an elective office as a result of being elected to it. GS 163-182(2)

“Canvass” is the entire process of determining that the voters have been counted correctly. GS 163-182.5