What Rutherford voters need to know before casting a ballot

Early voting ends Oct. 31; several nonpartisan municipal races include write-in choices.

Rutherford County voters still have time to register, review their choices, and vote before the Nov. 3 election.

County figures updated Oct. 21 show more than 4,400 early ballots cast at the county’s two voting locations.

Before casting a ballot, review every contest — including those with only one printed candidate. Some nonpartisan races have write-in candidates campaigning, so one printed name does not necessarily mean there is no opposition.

For a write-in selection on a hand-marked ballot, voters must both enter the candidate’s name under the correct office and fill in the accompanying oval.

State guidance says a misspelled or incomplete name can count when officials can identify the intended candidate. Selecting more candidates than permitted can cause the vote to not count in that contest.

Municipal write-in candidates do not have to complete the petition process required for partisan write-in races, but they must meet the qualifications for office.

Early voting is available at:

• Board of Elections office: 145 College Ave., Suite C, Rutherfordton.

• Isothermal Community College: Business Sciences Building, Blue Room, 286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale.

  
  

Both sites are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 30. They are closed Oct. 24-25. The final session is Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Rutherford County Board of Elections.

Eligible residents who missed the registration deadline may register and vote during early voting. Bring proof of residence, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck showing your name and address. Same-day registration is generally unavailable on Election Day, under state law.

Voters on the Registration Repair Project list will be asked to vote a provisional ballot because their voter record lacks a required identification number — either the last four digits of their Social Security number or their driver’s license number. If election officials can validate the updated information, that voter’s ballot will count.

Bring an acceptable photo ID. Voters unable to present one may cast a provisional ballot and complete a Photo ID Exception Form explaining why.

Check your registration, sample ballot and assigned precinct through the State Board’s Voter Search tool.

On Election Day, Nov. 3, vote at your assigned precinct between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Visit the state board website and the county board website for more details.