NC Elections Officials Make Clear That First Responders and Active Military May Vote in Uniform | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     With the North Carolina House of Representatives today considering a bill to mandate that no voter be denied the ability to vote in the uniform required by their job, the State Board of Elections wishes to make clear to voters that they are already entitled to vote wearing the uniform of their job. The bill would clarify what is already the law.

    The State Board of Elections has always been clear that voting in one's work uniform must be allowed. See Numbered Memo 2020-30, which explains that law enforcement officers are permitted to vote in uniform. It also clarifies that county boards of elections should not request that law enforcement be stationed outside the polls and should avoid the appearance of monitoring voters which, as many law enforcement officials acknowledge, could be considered intimidating to some voters.

    "We welcome our first responders, active military, and other voters whose jobs require a uniform to vote in uniform or in plain clothes, whatever they choose," said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections.

• Anita Bullock Branch
• Deputy Director
• Beaufort County Board of Elections
• 1308 Highland Drive, Suite 104 / PO Box 1016
• Washington, NC 27889
• Ph: 252.946.2321
• Fax: 252.974.2962