August 29, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NO EXCUSE: VOTERS CAN CAST PRIMARY BALLOTS BY MAIL,
AT SIX SITES ACROSS MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Charlotte, NC - Citizens of Mecklenburg County should have "No Excuse" for not casting their ballots in the 2003 primary and general election. In addition to absentee voting by mail, the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections will provide several sites around the County for "No Excuse" one stop voting in person.

The primary election for the City of Charlotte will be held on September 23 from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. There is no primary for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education or the six towns.

BY MAIL: "No Excuse" absentee voting by mail runs August 25 - September 16.  To request an absentee ballot request form, call 704-336-2133 or write P.O. Box 31788, Charlotte, North Carolina 28231.

IN PERSON: "No Excuse" one stop voting in person runs September 4 - September 20 at the following times and locations.

· Elections Office, 741 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 202
 September 4 - 12, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
 September 15 - 19, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
 September 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

· Libraries:
 September 15 - 19, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
 September 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Main Library 310 N. Tryon Street, CharlotteSouth County Regional Library5801 Rea Road, Charlotte Independence Regional Library6015 Conference Drive, CharlotteWest Boulevard Library 2157 West Boulevard, Charlotte University City Regional Library301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte

Voters who are registered with a party affiliation must vote in their party's primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary.

On September 23, the Grady Cole Center at 310 North Kings Drive will be open for citizens, candidates and media to track returns. Returns can also be monitored at the Board of Elections' Web site, www.meckboe.org.

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Media contact: Angela Shannon (O) 704-432-6961 or shannaw@co.mecklenburg.nc.us or Alex Burnett (O) 704-432-0361 (M) 704-579-0288 or burnear@co.mecklenburg.nc.us

2003 PRIMARY ELECTION: DATES & DEADLINES
City of Charlotte

Monday, August 25 First day absentee (by mail) 8 a.m.
  
Friday, August 29 Deadline for registration 5 p.m.
  
Thursday, September 4  First day absentee (in person) 8 a.m.
  
Tuesday, September 16  Last day absentee (by mail) 5 p.m.
  
Saturday, September 20  Last day absentee (in person) 1 p.m.
  
Monday, September 22  Last day to return absentee ballots. 5 p.m.
  
Tuesday, September 23  Primary Election 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  
Friday, September 26  Certification of election 11 a.m.
  
Tuesday, October 14  Second primary (if needed) 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.