Civic Engagement

The 2020 election is fast approaching. Our Tzedek Council, which oversees Temple Beth El’s social action and justice efforts, wants to empower our congregation to be a 100% voting congregation!

As Reform Jews, we believe democracy is strongest when everyone participates – and it suffers when citizens are shut out from the democratic process or choose not to engage. The Union for Reform Judaism is promoting the Religious Action Center’s “Every Voice, Every Vote” campaign.

Share #TBECLTvotes! Apply our frame to your profile picture on Facebook.

Get Vote Ready!

Make note of the following important dates:

October 15-31 – Early voting dates in North Carolina
November 3 – Election Day!
November 6 by 5:00pm – Last day to turn in absentee ballots

Register to Vote

Check to see if you are registered to vote and if you are not, register online today. See the links below for the Board of Elections for Mecklenburg, Union and Cabarrus counties. The registration deadline to vote in the general election is October 9. Helpful tip: You don’t need to be 18 to register. You just need to be 18 by November 3 to vote.

Confirm Your Voter Registration

Have you moved recently, or are you voting again for the first time? You can check your registration and even register to vote here. (It is a good idea to do this even if you think you are already registered to vote).

Pledge to Vote

Fill out a pledge card to express that you are committed to exercising your right to vote.

Make a Plan to Vote

Find your polling place.

Request an Absentee Ballot

You can print it out at home or request one to be mailed to you. You will need to fill it out in the presence of one witness. If you don’t have a printer at home and would like to be mailed a hard copy, please reach out to Temple Beth El congregant Rebecca Drechsel.

Helpful Tip

You don’t need to use an absentee ballot if you request one. You can still choose to vote in person during Early Voting or on Election Day. As long as you vote only once, you are good. Why not have all the options available to you by requesting an absentee ballot?

Help a Teen or College Student Vote

Are you a new voter, or the parent of a new voter who doesn’t want to nag their kids? Fill out this form with their contact information and we will send them information to help them vote where they go to school or in their home county.

Want to perform a mitzvah during a pandemic while earning a little money at the same time?

The Mecklenburg Board of Elections is looking for poll workers, and these are paid positions. For information, see visit https://www.mecknc.gov/BOE/PollOfficials/Pages/default.aspx. If you want to serve outside of Mecklenburg County, go to https://www.powerthepolls.org/.

Useful notes on voting:

You can track your absentee ballot’s status by registering for North Carolina BallotTrax
To submit your ballot, you can physically deliver your ballot to your county’s Board of Elections office or mail in the ballot. The US Postal Service is recommending that you mail in your ballot at least one week prior to November 3: USPS Election Mail information.
Read the NPR Blog on submitting mail in ballots.
Mecklenburg County Early Voting Sites, Dates, & Logistics
Remember it is a felony to vote more than once. Read about it.
On Election Day, you may deliver your mail in ballot to your county Board of Elections office or get it postmarked at the post office by 5 PM. Don’t take your mail in ballot to your Election Day polling location.

If you encounter any issues voting:

Election Protection Hotline 888-OUR-VOTE (888-687-8683) or contact your state or county Board of Elections
10 Facts About Election Security in North Carolina
2020 North Carolina Voter Bill of Rights
NC Voters: Know Your Rights

Be an Informed Voter! Resources to learn about candidates and what’s on the ballot:

Additional Resources

Cabarrus County Board of Elections – https://cabarruscounty.us/departments/elections-board
Carolina Jews for Justice – https://www.carolinajewsforjustice.org/
Center for Common Ground – http://centerforcommonground.org/
League of Women Voters – https://www.lwv.org/
League of Women Voters Vote 411 – https://www.vote411.org/
Mecklenburg County Board of Elections – https://www.mecknc.gov/BOE/
North Carolina DMV Voter Registration Application (Yes, you can register to vote here too if you already have a state ID) — https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx
North Carolina State Board of Elections https://www.ncsbe.gov/index.html
Religious Action Committee of Reform Judaism – https://rac.org/
South Carolina State Board of Elections https://www.scvotes.gov/
Union County Board of Elections – https://www.unioncountync.gov/government/boards-and-committees/board-elections
You Can Vote – https://www.youcanvote.org/