Vote-By-Mail In Cornelius 2020: How To Get Your Ballot

CORNELIUS, NC — From school days to grocery shopping, COVID-19 has dramatically altered most aspects of life in the U.S. In fewer than 100 days, the pandemic is also expected to change the way America will vote for president.

Concerns about potential health risks that come with long lines and crowds at the polls have turned the nation's attention to voting by mail. Nearly 180 million voters will be able to vote by mail this election, according to the Washington Post.

Most all states — including North Carolina — allow any voter to request an absentee ballot with no special circumstance needed, however it's not the case in all states. Connecticut, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia require voters to have an excuse beyond a fear of the pandemic when requesting an absentee ballot, the newspaper reported.

SEE ALSO: Vote-By-Mail In 2020: 5 Things To Know

It's not too early to request a mail-in ballot in North Carolina. The deadline for returning a signed and completed absentee ballot request form is no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020.

How To Request A Mail-In Ballot in Mecklenburg County

• Forms requesting a mail-in ballot are available online.
• Forms must be signed by the voter and may be returned by the voter, a near relative of the voter or a verifiable legal guardian.
• Forms may be emailed to absentee@mecklenburgcountync.gov or mailed to the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, 741 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 202, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Earlier the month, the North Carolina State Board of Elections issued an emergency order to protect voters choosing to vote in-person.

Under the emergency order, county boards of elections throughout the state must open early voting sites for at least 10 hours on the weekend of October 17-18 and October 24-25, as open at least one early voting site per 20,000 registered voters. County boards of election may also extend voting site hours, and must put in place safety protocols to protect workers and voters, such as barriers, require face coverings and frequently sanitizing.

"If we do not take these measures, we risk much longer lines at voting sites and greater possibility of the spread of the coronavirus,” State Board of Election Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell said in a statement. “These are not acceptable risks in this important election year when we expect turnout to be high.”