A parent of a Meredith College student says her daughter was not permitted to vote using her college ID.
Melanie Lowe shared with WRAL News that she and her family went to vote at the East Regional Library in Durham, an early voting site, where she was informed that Meredith College was not among the accepted colleges for ID verification.
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This year’s 2024 presidential election marks the first major election requiring voters to present an ID, with some college IDs included in the list of acceptable forms.
Lowe reached out to WRAL's 5 On Your Side through the voterfeedback@jshu.net email. In response, 5 On Your Side contacted both the state and Durham County Board of Elections, who clarified that college IDs should be valid at every voting site.
Upon further investigation, Derek Bowens, Durham County’s director of elections, said Lowe's daughter was turned away because of a “poll worker error.”
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If there are questions about a voter's eligibility, as when someone shows up without ID or at the wrong polling place, voters can still cast a "provisional ballot."
Provisional ballots aren’t counted immediately. Elections officials hold onto them to research questions about a voter’s eligibility. Those found to be valid are then added to the total count and included when results are final and certified, 10 days after Election Day.
If you encounter any issues at the polls, ask for the chief judge at your voting location — they’re typically well-versed in the latest election laws and regulations. For unresolved issues, please contact 5 On Your Side at voterfeedback@jshu.net.