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The presidential election every four years brings out the most voters, but still, only 69% of the eligible voters in America voted in the 2020 general election (and this was the biggest voter turnout since 1900!). Many countries don’t even give their citizens the right to vote but we are lucky, and it’s time we acted like it!
This November (mail-in voting started in September and early voting starts in October) was a general election. There is no time like the present to educate yourself, so you are ready to speak up for what you believe in.
- General Election Day: Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Read this quick and easy, non-partisan Forsyth County election guide, so you are educated and ready to speak up for what you believe in on Election Day 2022 in Winston-Salem, NC.
Election Guide 2022 For Forsyth County, NC
I have always found it difficult to obtain easy-to-understand information about the candidates and the ballot for MY VOTE. Sure, I can find general info, but I always find myself at the poll being asked to vote for things and people I did not know would be on the ballot. So, I am faced with making a non-educated guess, skipping, or making a choice based on gender, name familiarity, etc.
I was thrilled to find a better way this year. Women of Action Winston-Salem recently put together a non-partisan voter guide (link below) that starts by clearly explaining:
- How to register to vote (General deadline: October 14, 2022).
- Missed the registration deadline? Go to a One-Stop Early Voting location where you can register and vote at the same time!
- Where to see a sample of YOUR ballot
- Takes you through the basic details of each candidate, amendment, bond, etc.
General Election Guide – November 2022
Primary Election Ballot Items For Forsyth County/Winston-Salem, NC
- Winston Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education
- Forsyth County Sheriff
- Forsyth County Clerk of Court
- Forsyth County Board of Commissioners
- District Attorney
- District Court Judges
- NC House of Representatives
- NC Senate
- NC General Assembly (House and Senate) – all seats
- NC Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
- US House of Representatives
- US Senate
Register To Vote
On Election Day, you cannot vote unless you have registered. But, if you come out for early voting, you can still register at the polls. While this is not true in every state, NC allows this helpful convenience.
Mail-In Ballot Voting
An absentee mail-in ballot is always available in the state of North Carolina, but it has become even more critical for the 2022 Election in light of health and safety concerns.
An absentee ballot gives you the option to vote by mail but you can also change your mind, deciding to vote in person (early or on Election Day), so long as you have not already submitted your ballot. The Board Of Elections recommends that you bring your incomplete ballot along with you if you do decide to vote in person to prevent any possible questions about the status of your vote.
You can request a mail-in ballot online or by completing and submitting a ballot request form. The deadline for mail-in ballot requests is November 1, 2022, at 5 pm.
You can submit your absentee ballot by mail or in-person to your local Board of Elections (BOE). The BOE recommends that you mail your ballot by October 21 to ensure it is received before the election. If you are unable to mail it back by October 21, consider submitting your ballot in person at the Forsyth County Board of Elections (201 N. Chestnut St, Winston Salem, 27101) or at an early voting site.
NC has a wonderful online service that allows you to track your ballot with Ballot Trax.
Early Voting
Early voting in North Carolina runs from October 20-November 5 in 2022. If you missed the deadline to register to vote (October 14), you can still register when you come to your early vote location. Regardless of your precinct, during early voting, you can go to any early voting site in the county.
Election Day
This year’s General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. On this date, all votes must be cast in your local precinct.
Voting Tips
- Early voting runs from October 20 to November 5 in NC in 2022. Find the closest location.
- It’s not too late to register. Same-day registration is available when you go to an early voting location in NC.
- You can preview and research YOUR ballot before you vote here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ No surprises and you’ll feel confident in your choices. You can even print it out and bring a copy with your marked selections to the voting booth.
- Not sure who to vote for, or who’s even running? This non-partisan guide walks you through each ballot option so you are prepared.
- Despite what anyone might tell you, you do NOT need a photo ID to vote in North Carolina (blocked by a federal district court)
- When you vote early, your name is removed from all marketing lists for this election. Translation: fewer phone calls, texts, and junk mail! (This may take a few days to work through the systems)
- Attention College Students! You can register and vote using EITHER your home or college address.
Here are the closest early voting locations to your campus (subject to change):- Winston-Salem State University: Anderson Recreation Center (Reynolds Park), 2450 Reynolds Park Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
- Wake Forest University: Brown Douglas Recreation Center, 4725 Indiana Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
- Forsyth Tech Community College: Miller Park Recreation Center, 400 Leisure Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Salem College: Forsyth County Government Center at 301 N Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
- In NC, kids are allowed in the voting booth with their parents. So take your kid to vote to inspire our next generation of voters and engaged citizens!
- If you are handicapped, sick, or otherwise unable to leave your car, you can request curbside voting. All you have to do is go to the voting location and a poll worker will come out to help you.
- Lines are shorter every day during Early Voting than on Election Day.
- As long as you will be 18 on or before November 8th and have lived in NC for at least 30 days, you can vote (and early vote) for this year’s elections. So, register now.
- Take a photo and tag #MYWS to show off your civic action.
