Jeff Messer is the host of a daily radio talk show on Asheville’s WPEK (880-AM, The Revolution) that airs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This column features posts from his daily blog.

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The following was posted on March 4:

he report from listener Mary about the curious situation she encountered at the Asheville Mall voting location, only four hours into day one of early voting ignited a lot of interest and comments.

I called for people to call the Board of Elections and demand some answers. And many did. But the conversation continues, because people have begun sharing other stories that are questionable and need to be addressed.

First, Carolyn commented that she called. They told her that, yes, ID is required, even at the primary level. And she said they acknowledged the “problem” at the mall location, saying that it happened early in the morning because the Democrat sample ballots had simply not been delivered yet when it happened, and that the missing Democrat sample ballots were delivered, and the problem was fixed.

More on the ID requirement in a moment.

The story Carolyn was given was not in line with Mary’s experience. Mary went there just past noon, which is over four hours into voting. So, the story from the Board of Elections does not line up.

As for ID: yes, it is required, but you can still vote without it, on a provisional ballot, if you have enough reason to have not been able to get a proper photo ID before voting. So, there’s some wiggle room here, depending on the individual situation.

Of course, the ID concern came from Mary, who had heard of a report from Henderson County where someone at the entry was announcing loudly that ID ws required to vote.

Out of the stir yesterday’s post and conversation caused, many other started to chime in about their own experiences and what they witnessed.

Ned, who is a friend of the show, voted, and noted that they were having people declare their party affiliation aloud so that others could hear. This is a little odd, and not the norm. And certainly it takes the privacy of your vote away to do this. Some will be offended, others will not. But it is curious that this is being reported from multiple locations.

Rachel shared this:

“I early-voted downtown on College Street this afternoon. There was an older gentleman who wanted to vote a straight ticket. He was told North Carolina did away with that in 2014. So then he asked if someone could help him read the ballot because he is illiterate. He was told no one there could help him read the ballot, they are not allowed. Is this accurate? He was only offered a mail in ballot to take home with him.”

Mark replied to her comment with a link to more accurate info: That is not accurate. From:http://www.ncsbe.gov/voting-accessibility — “A voter in any of the following four categories is entitled to assistance from a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union:

“A voter who, on account of physical disability, is unable to enter the voting booth without assistance.

“A voter who, on account of physical disability, is unable to mark a ballot without assistance.

“A voter who, on account of illiteracy, is unable to mark a ballot without assistance.

“A voter who, on account of blindness, is unable to enter the voting booth or mark a ballot without assistance.The voter must ask for assistance a poll worker or someone else cannot simply offer it.”

Rachel followed up that, when he asked for help, the poll worker said she was not allowed to assist him.

So, are the poll workers actually not properly trained to understand what they should be doing? Sure sounds like it.

The online 880 community conversation grew, and fans were sharing thoughts and info on many nuances of the topic.

Susan shared her experience:

“You are asked to show ID. I voted at Fletcher library, Henderson County today. If you don’t have ID, you can ask for an absentee ballot. Not sure when you have to actually produce an ID to have that one counted though. I was the only voter there at about 5PM! Hope turnout is going to improve....”

Mark helped again with more details:

“While that is one option request for mail-in absentee ballots will end on Tuesday the 8th for the primary. What they can do is: use a special provisional ballot at the poll. It will count if you fill out a ‘declaraion form’ with a reason you don’t have the ID and also (a) list your birth date and last 4 digits of your SSN’s or (b) show a utlity bill, voter registraion card, or bank or government document with your name and address.”

The “declaration” has boxes for why a voter may not have ID. Check a box true for you:

• Lack of transportation/Disability or illness/Family responsibilies/Work schedule/Photo ID applied for but not received/Lack of birth cerficate or other documents/Lost or stolen photo ID/Other (examples: ‘School schedule’ or ‘Passport is in another state’ or ‘I thought my school ID was OK’). Do not give a silly or false answer

Over on the Asheville Politics Facebook page, Michelle shared her experience:

“I just called because there seemed to be some confusion at my poll (outlet mall) about what or who you can ask party affiliation to. They make you say it out load too in front of your neighbors. I don’t remember this being in the bill passed by the state. 

“My concern was, the nice lady who checked me, when I questioned her about what she would say if I said I was UNA to avoid someone just getting the UNA bond only ballot. She was unsure. The board just said they are supposed to ask UNA which ballot they want. I told her I knew it was first day new rules but would be good to follow up there and make sure they are actually doing this.”

Annie noted:

“West Asheville Library early-voting site had electronic malfunction around 4:05. Line was long and citizens without time to stay and fill out paper ballot just left.”

Gary had a sharp point as well:

“They don’t need to be fixin’ them machines here. Send ‘em up to Ohio where they’ll be of use.... I just now figured out what March 15 and June 7 voting is shapeshifted into. PS IF there are problems, than they have succeeded right? Voting in NC is not about being ‘ABLE’ to vote; it’s about thinking your vote matters.”

It does my heart proud to see this kind of activity!

On day two, we heard from a couple of folks who voted. Jan went yesterday to vote, was told to show ID, then not asked for it at the time he voted. Yet, a day later, when he brought his elderly friend to vote, the same person made her show ID. He pointed it out to the poll worker, who was apologetic, and admitted that she might have screwed up by not asking for his the day earlier.

“John” called the show to tell us that he voted in Fletcher, and all went smoothly. Including showing them his student ID, which they should have rejected based on the rules in place now. He also noted that the polling location had just run out of Democratic sample ballots. Wow. Two locations in the first two days run out of Democrat sample ballots. Coincidence?

Inconsistencies abound.

I again encourage everyone to reach out the Trena Parker at the Board of Elections to share your thoughts and concerns. It is important to send a strong signal that We The People are watching, comparing notes, and sharing information about what is happening. 

It could all be innocent mistakes and simple confusion. And if it is, they will know that they need to step up. It could also be some moves toward election fraud on some levels, and equally, they need to know that we’re onto them if that’s their intent. Either way, we must be vigilant.

Trena Parker’s phone number at the Board of Elections is: (828) 250-4209

Her email is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Keep up the fight!