2016 Supreme Court Primary Election GUIDE

Transcription

1 2016 Supreme Court Primary Election GUIDE Monday, April 18 Absentee voting begins for June 7 primary, including contests for U.S. House of Representatives and N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Friday, May 13 Regular voter registration deadline for June 7 primary Thursday, May 26 One stop early voting for the June 7 primary begins on May 26 and ends at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. Some counties may not be open on the first weekend, or Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day). Tuesday, May 31 Regular deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for June 7 primary Monday, June 6 Military and overseas deadline for board of elections receipt of voter registration and absentee ballot request Tuesday, June 7 Primary Election Day (polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.) Civilian absentee ballot deadline: voted absentee ballots must be delivered to the appropriate county elections office by 5:00 p.m. on this day. However, such ballots postmarked on or before Election Day will be accepted through Friday, June 10. Military and overseas absentee ballots are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on June 13 if cast and sent by Election Day. Page 2: Overview/Summary of Election Law Changes Page 3: Voter ID Requirements/Acceptable Photo ID Page 4: Voter ID Exceptions Page 5: State Ballot Request Form CONTENT Page 6-9: N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Candidates Page 10-11: County Boards of Elections Contact Information

2 About the State Board of Elections The State Board of Elections is charged with overall responsibility for administration of elections and campaign finance law in North Carolina. The Board is composed of members nominated by the N.C. Republican Party and N.C. Democratic Party and appointed by the Governor. STATE BOARD MEMBERS A. Grant Whitney, Jr. (Chair) Rhonda K. Amoroso (Secretary) James L. Baker Dr. Maja Kricker Joshua D. Malcolm EXECUTIVE STAFF Kimberly Westbrook Strach, Chief State Election Official & Executive Director Amy Strange, Deputy Director Campaign Finance & Operations Veronica Degraffenreid, Election Preparation & Support Manager Marc Burris, Information Systems Director Jackie Hyland, Public Information Officer Josh Lawson, General Counsel OVERVIEW OF THIS GUIDE This Judicial Voter Guide provides information about laws and procedures that govern the election of justices to the state s Supreme Court. Candidates are listed on pages 6-9. VOTER REGISTRATION Voter Registration forms can be found on the State Board of Elections website at: SUMMARY OF RECENT ELECTION LAW CHANGES SAME-DAY REGISTRATION Same-day registration is available during the one-stop early voting period that begins Thursday, May 26 and ends Saturday, June 4. Remember, voters must register in their county of residence. Note: The same-day registration process is available for the election on June 7, but barring further court action, it will not be permitted thereafter. For details about registration or to find out more about one-stop early voting options available in your county, please contact your county board of elections office or visit PROPER PRECINT VOTING If you choose to vote early, you may vote at any one-stop early voting location in the county of your residence. Be aware that if you vote outside your properly assigned precinct on Election Day, you may not be able to vote in all contests for which you are eligible. For this reason, voters are strongly urged to vote in their properly assigned precincts. If you vote outside your assigned precinct on Election Day on June 7, your vote will count for all races in which you are eligible. However, barring further court action, ballots cast outside a voter s assigned precinct will not count in future elections. VOTING BY PERSONS IN CARE FACILITIES Each county elections office now provides Multipartisan Assistance Teams (MATs) to provide assistance in the absentee voting process for those living in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other care facilities. MATs are available to 2

3 SUMMARY OF RECENT ELECTION LAW CHANGES (Cont.) voters who need assistance but do not have a near relative or guardian available to help. Care facilities can arrange for MATs visits by contacting their local county election office (see pages 10-11). Voter ID Requirements Most voters must now show acceptable photo ID at the polls. This guide contains information about voter ID requirements and exceptions provided by law (S.L , S.L , and S.L ). You may vote with any of the photo IDs listed below. Free photo IDs are available from the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). There are ways to vote even if you cannot obtain acceptable photo ID before the election (see exceptions on page 4). For additional information or assistance, please contact the State Board of Elections Voter Outreach Team at or VoterOutreach.SBOE@ncsbe.gov. WHAT TYPES OF PHOTO IDS ARE ACCEPTABLE? * Cards issued by North Carolina recognized tribes and approved by the State Board of Elections are acceptable for voting if they have an expiration date and are unexpired. Please see this link for a list. Cards issued by federally recognized tribes are acceptable if they have an expiration date and are unexpired, or if they have an issuance date and were issued within eight years. If you do not have one of the forms of photo ID above, you can get a free ID from the DMV by providing the following: two documents that prove your age and identity (examples: birth certificate, court documents or tax forms) one document to prove your North Carolina residency (examples: a lease, voter registration card, or utility bill); AND your social security number NEED OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS? If you were born or married in North Carolina, you are eligible for a free birth or marriage certificate for the purpose of obtaining your NC identification card for voting. Please contact the NC Office of Vital Records at (919) or your county s register of deeds office to request a certified copy of your records for voting purposes. If you were born or married out-of-state, please contact that state s vital records office to receive a certified copy. DMV locations may be found at 3

4 Voter ID Exceptions DECLARATION OF REASONABLE IMPEDIMENT AT POLLING SITES A voter who claims that a reasonable impediment prevents him or her from obtaining acceptable photo ID, may: 1. Complete and sign a declaration of reasonable impediment form that describes the impediment. The form must be completed truthfully; completing the form fraudulently is punishable as a Class I felony under G.S (13). 2. Provide one of the following alternative forms of identification: The last four digits of his or her social security number and birthdate; OR A copy of his or her voter registration card; OR A copy of a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document bearing the voter s current name and address. NOTE: A voter who fails to provide one of the alternative forms of identification at the polls must return to the county elections office and present the required identification by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 13. Voters who are unable to obtain an acceptable photo ID due to a reasonable impediment may still vote a provisional ballot at the polls. (Examples of a reasonable impediment include but are not limited to the lack of proper documents, family obligations, transportation problems, work schedule, illness or disability.) A voter s provisional ballot will be counted unless the county board of elections finds that the declared impediment is factually false, merely denigrates the photo ID requirement, or is obviously nonsensical. Any registered voter of the county may challenge the factual veracity of the declared impediment. If a challenge is made, the voter will be provided notice and an opportunity to be heard by the county board of elections. VOTING ABSENTEE BALLOT BY MAIL? Photo ID is not required in order to cast a mail-in absentee ballot. Absentee ballot request forms are available online, at the county board of elections, at all one-stop early voting locations, and may be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on May 31. OVER THE AGE OF 70? If you are 70 years of age or older, you may use any acceptable photo ID that has been expired for any length of time, provided the photo ID expired on or after your 70th birthday. OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES? Additional options exist for voters with a sincerely held religious objection to being photographed; voters who are victims of certain declared natural disasters; and new-to-nc voters who registered within 90 days of the election and who possess an out of state, unexpired diver license or non-operator license issued within the United States. 4

5 State Ballot Request Form SUBMIT THE FORM This form must be submitted to the voter s county board of elections no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the date of the election. This form may be mailed, faxed, ed, or delivered in person. Contact information for all county boards of elections is available at ncsbe.gov. The status of an absentee request may also be checked on this website. English Version Spanish Version 5

6 Primary Candidates for N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice (in order of ballot appearance) Date admitted to the bar: 1980 Legal/Judicial experience: Superior Court Judge, 2005-Present District Court Judge, Michael R. (Mike) Morgan Place of residence: Raleigh Education: JD with honors, NC Central University School of Law, 1979; BA, History and Sociology, Duke University, 1976 Occupation: Superior Court Judge Employer: State of North Carolina, Administrative Office of the Courts State Administrative Law Judge, Staff attorney, NC Department of Justice, Research Assistant, NC Department of Justice, CANDIDATE STATEMENT I am proud to run for the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on the strength of the diversity of my professional, teaching and community background which has eminently prepared me with the wealth of experience which this judicial office inherently requires. With more than 26 years of current judicial service, 24 years of current teaching tenure at The National Judicial College instructing other judges and a long record of community involvement and uplift, I have a unique preparation in the ability to legally analyze, assiduously study yet humanly understand the challenges of society with which the Supreme Court is presented. As a Supreme Court Justice, I shall continue my judicial and personal commitment to promote and preserve fairness, impartiality and justice for all in North Carolina s court system. Please visit my website at for more information about my credentials and this campaign. I humbly ask for your vote and support, and thank you for your consideration. 6

7 Primary Candidates for N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice (in order of ballot appearance) Daniel Robertson Place of residence: Advance, N.C. Education: University of Mississippi School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1984 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. with Honors, 1980 Occupation: Attorney Employer: Self-employed, Law Office of Daniel Robertson Date admitted to the bar: Mississippi Bar, 1984 North Carolina Bar, 1986 California Bar, 1988 Missouri Bar, 2001 Legal/Judicial experience: Law Office of Daniel Robertson Bank of the Carolinas, General Counsel Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice, LLP Schall, Boudreau & Gore, Inc Federal Law Clerk for U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James W. Meyers Federal Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson Federal Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Space Law Member, Mississippi Law Journal CANDIDATE STATEMENT Unlike most of the candidates for the Supreme Court, I am a political outsider who has never held political office, lives outside the Raleigh beltway and has extensive experience working directly for North Carolina citizens and businesses. I therefore know the struggles most citizens and businesses face to survive in a world filled with burdensome regulations, taxes and requirements imposed by a government clearly divorced from its own people. As a result of my many years of legal experience, I know the legal system, how it works, sometimes doesn t, and why. I want to serve on the North Carolina Supreme Court to ensure that the rights and liberties of all North Carolinians are fully preserved and that the laws are equally and fairly applied to all -- regardless of their wealth, connections, power or politics. 7

8 Primary Candidates for N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice (in order of ballot appearance) Robert Edmunds Place of residence: Greensboro Education: AB, Vassar College; JD, UNC-CH; LLM, UVa Occupation: Senior Associate Justice Employer: Supreme Court of North Carolina Date admitted to the bar: 1975 Legal/Judicial experience: Assistant District Attorney Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorney, Middle District of North Carolina Partner, Stern & Klepfer Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals Justice, Supreme Court of North Carolina CANDIDATE STATEMENT As the only candidate with experience on the Supreme Court, my record is an open book. The opinions I have written are available at These opinions demonstrate impartiality, respect for our state and Federal constitutions, and dedication to the rule of law. As a result, I enjoy bipartisan support of most of North Carolina s leading lawyers, including four former Chief Justices, former presidents of the North Carolina State Bar and North Carolina Bar Association, and almost all of North Carolina s elected sheriffs. The best guide to my qualifications is the judgment of those who have observed my work. In 2006, United States Chief Justice Rehnquist asked me to be the only state judge on the Federal Criminal Rules Committee. Chief Justice Roberts later reappointed me to that committee. Other judges selected me to chair the 2015 Appellate Judges Education Institute and to co-edit the American Bar Association s Judges Journal. I will become Chair-elect of the American Bar Association s Appellate Judges Conference this June. I have been elected to the American Law Institute. I did not seek any of these positions. My peers asked me to undertake them. For additional details, please visit my web page, 8

9 Primary Candidates for N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice (in order of ballot appearance) Sabra J. Faires Place of residence: Wake County Education: UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law, J.D. with honors; Davidson College, B.A., cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa Occupation: Attorney Employer: Bailey & Dixon, LLP Date admitted to the bar: 1980 Legal/Judicial experience: Over 35 years of professional legal experience including legislative, administrative, and private practice. Non-partisan legal counsel to GOP and Democrat legislative leaders and committees. Assistant Secretary, NC Department of Revenue. Attorney at Office of Administrative Hearings. Past president of Administrative Law Section of NC Bar Association. Rated Best Lawyer by peers in both tax and administrative law. CANDIDATE STATEMENT I am an independent unaffiliated voter and am running for supreme court justice to get politics out of our highest court. If elected, I pledge to be diligent and fair and to apply the law without ideological agenda. I fought for the right to run in this election by successfully challenging an unconstitutional law passed last year by the NC legislature prohibiting everyone but the current justice from running. But for my lawsuit, voters would not have a choice in this election. I value impartiality and fairness and have consistently applied these values throughout my career. My record of fairness and my experience on three sides of the law writing laws, enforcing laws, and interpreting laws for clients - gives me a unique perspective on the intent and language of the law and makes me a uniquely qualified candidate. Visit me and learn more at I would be honored to serve you on the Supreme Court and I appreciate your vote. 9

10 COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTIONS ALAMANCE 115 SOUTH MAPLE STREET GRAHAM, NC ALEXANDER P.O. BOX 326 TAYLORSVILLE, NC ALLEGHANY P.O. BOX 65 SPARTA, NC ANSON P.O. BOX 768 WADESBORO, NC ASHE 150 GOVERNMENT CIRCLE, STE 2100 JEFFERSON, NC AVERY P.O. BOX 145 NEWLAND, NC BEAUFORT P.O. BOX 1016 WASHINGTON, NC BERTIE P.O. BOX 312 WINDSOR, NC BLADEN P.O. BOX 512 ELIZABETHTOWN, NC BRUNSWICK P.O. BOX 2 BOLIVIA, NC BUNCOMBE P.O. BOX 7468 ASHEVILLE, NC BURKE P.O. BOX 798 MORGANTON, NC CABARRUS P.O. BOX 1315 CONCORD, NC CALDWELL P.O. BOX 564 LENOIR, NC CAMDEN P.O. BOX 206 CAMDEN, NC CARTERET 1702 LIVE OAK ST, SUITE 200 BEAUFORT, NC CASWELL PO BOX 698 YANCEYVILLE, NC CATAWBA PO BOX 132 NEWTON, NC CHATHAM PO BOX 111 PITTSBORO, NC CHEROKEE 40 PEACHTREE STREET MURPHY, NC CHOWAN 730 N GRANVILLE STREET EDENTON, NC CLAY 54 CHURCH ST HAYESVILLE, NC CLEVELAND PO BOX 1299 SHELBY, NC COLUMBUS PO BOX 37 WHITEVILLE, NC CRAVEN 406 CRAVEN STREET NEW BERN, NC CUMBERLAND 227 FOUNTAINHEAD LANE, SUITE 101 FAYETTEVILLE, NC CURRITUCK PO BOX 177 CURRITUCK, NC DARE P.O. BOX 1000 MANTEO, NC DAVIDSON P O BOX 1084 LEXINGTON, NC DAVIE 161 POPLAR ST. SUITE 102 MOCKSVILLE, NC DUPLIN PO BOX 975 KENANSVILLE, NC DURHAM PO BOX 868 DURHAM, NC EDGECOMBE PO BOX 10 TARBORO, NC FORSYTH 201 N. CHESTNUT STREET WINSTON SALEM, NC FRANKLIN PO BOX 180 LOUISBURG, NC GASTON P O BOX 1396 GASTONIA, NC GATES PO BOX 621 GATESVILLE, NC GRAHAM PO BOX 1239 ROBBINSVILLE, NC GRANVILLE PO BOX 83 OXFORD, NC GREENE PO BOX 583 SNOW HILL, NC GUILFORD P O BOX 3427 GREENSBORO, NC HALIFAX PO BOX 101 HALIFAX, NC HARNETT PO BOX 356 LILLINGTON, NC HAYWOOD 63 ELMWOOD WAY, SUITE A WAYNESVILLE, NC HENDERSON PO BOX 2090 HENDERSONVILLE, NC

11 COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTIONS HERTFORD PO BOX 416 WINTON, NC HOKE PO BOX 1565 RAEFORD, NC ext:1550 HYDE PO BOX 152 SWAN QUARTER, NC IREDELL 203 STOCKTON ST. STATESVILLE, NC JACKSON 876 SKYLAND DRIVE, SUITE 1 SYLVA, NC JOHNSTON PO BOX 1172 SMITHFIELD, NC JONES PO BOX 263 TRENTON, NC LEE PO BOX 1443 SANFORD, NC LENOIR PO BOX 3503 KINSTON, NC LINCOLN 115 W. MAIN ST, ROOM 201 LINCOLNTON, NC MACON 5 WEST MAIN ST FRANKLIN, NC MADISON PO BOX 142 MARSHALL, NC MARTIN PO BOX 801 WILLIAMSTON, NC MCDOWELL PO BOX 1509 MARION, NC ext:342 MECKLENBURG PO BOX CHARLOTTE, NC MITCHELL 11 N MITCHELL AVE, ROOM 108 BAKERSVILLE, NC MONTGOMERY PO BOX 607 TROY, NC MOORE PO BOX 787 CARTHAGE, NC NASH PO BOX 305 NASHVILLE, NC NEW HANOVER 230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DR. SUITE 38 WILMINGTON, NC NORTHAMPTON PO BOX 603 JACKSON, NC ONSLOW 4024 RICHLANDS HWY JACKSONVILLE, NC ORANGE PO BOX 220 HILLSBOROUGH, NC PAMLICO PO BOX 464 BAYBORO, NC PASQUOTANK PO BOX 1797 ELIZABETH CITY, NC PENDER PO BOX 1232 BURGAW, NC PERQUIMANS PO BOX 336 HERTFORD, NC PERSON 331 SOUTH MORGAN STREET ROXBORO, NC PITT PO BOX 56 GREENVILLE, NC POLK PO BOX 253 COLUMBUS, NC RANDOLPH 158 WORTH STREET, SHAW BUILDING ASHEBORO, NC RICHMOND PO BOX 1843 ROCKINGHAM, NC ROBESON PO BOX 2159 LUMBERTON, NC ROCKINGHAM PO BOX 22 WENTWORTH, NC ROWAN 130 W. INNES ST. SALISBURY, NC RUTHERFORD PO BOX 927 RUTHERFORDTON, NC SAMPSON 120 COUNTY COMPLEX ROAD SUITE 110 CLINTON, NC SCOTLAND 231 EAST CRONLY ST, SUITE 305 LAURINBURG, NC STANLY PO BOX 1309 ALBEMARLE, NC STOKES PO BOX 34 DANBURY, NC SURRY 201 E. KAPP STREET DOBSON, NC SWAIN PO BOX 133 BRYSON CITY, NC TRANSYLVANIA P O BOX 868 BREVARD, NC TYRRELL PO BOX 449 COLUMBIA, NC UNION Box 1106 Monroe, NC