NC Board of Elections addresses voter complaints about text messages

VP Kamala Harris' running mate, Governor Tim Walz, is continuing to campaign in battleground states, including North Carolina.

According to the Harris-Walz campaign, Walz will make a few stops in Durham Thursday morning.

He will arrive at Raleigh-Durham International Airport Wednesday night around 8:30 p.m.

He will arrive at RDU on Wednesday night.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections said Monday that election officials across the state have fielded numerous complaints from voters about unsolicited text messages that say "A voter at (their residential address) may not have voted. Vote here." The message then provides a link.

The link listed takes people to the State Board of Elections' Early Voting Site Search, which provides county-by-county early voting sites and schedules.

However, the State Board of Elections said it does not send mass text messages to voters about any topic.

Many early voters say they are concerns after receiving a confusing text message, claiming someone at their address may not have voted yet.

The NCBOE said these and other unsolicited messages are "not unusual" and will likely continue through Election Day.

The board noted that most of these efforts are typically legal but can be confusing or frustrating for voters.

"While we know these communications may be annoying or confusing, the purpose of most of them is to encourage voters to exercise their right to vote," said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. "Elections officials share that goal and encourage voters to seek out trusted sources, including the State Board and county boards of elections, for direct, accurate information about voting."

The NCBOE offered some tips to navigate election season.

• Get accurate information about elections from state and county election officials. The State Board's website is NCSBE.gov.

• In-person early voting is available now statewide. You can also register to vote at any early voting site. For locations and hours in your county, see the Early Voting Site Search.

• The State Board of Elections and county boards of elections do not send text messages asking you to vote. They often come from political or advocacy groups.

• Such communications have become a common get-out-the-vote tool for political organizations. They obtain phone numbers from public or private sources and then reach out to voters to encourage them to vote. Sometimes their data is incorrect or outdated. For example, a text message may claim that you haven't voted when, in fact, you voted a day before receiving the text.

• If you receive election-related text messages that you believe may be fraudulent, a scam, or provide inaccurate information about how, when or where to vote, please send an email with a screenshot, along with any other pertinent information, to elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov.

• Do not attempt to vote again if you get a text message saying you have not yet voted when you know you have already voted. Groups sending these texts may not be using up-to-date information about your vote. Voting twice in an election is a crime.

• For guidance regarding political texts and robocalls and information about how to file a complaint, see the Federal Communications Commission's "Rules for Political Campaign Calls and Texts."

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will visit North Carolina this week.

Emhoff will be in the Triangle on Tuesday where he's expected to launch a canvassing effort and deliver remarks at a "Get Out the Vote" event. He'll deliver remarks in Cary about 3:35 p.m.

Then, Emhoff will be at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro for an "Early Vote Concert"

Emhoff will be in the Triangle on Tuesday where he's expected to launch a canvassing effort and deliver remarks at a "Get Out the Vote" event.

Doors open at 4 p.m. and close at 6 p.m.

All guests will have to pass through an airport-like screening checkpoint. All bags, bottles, vape pens, lighters, umbrellas, laser pointers, packages, selfie sticks, structures, toy guns, or recreational mobility devices, knives and/or weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.

Those interested in attending can click here for information.

He's also set to participate in hurricane relief efforts.

People coming into the Durham County Main Library to vote early have little to no wait.

ABC11 talked with Gia Abramson who says the process was quick, easy and efficient here in Durham. She was in good spirits after she voted.

"I think it's important for us to cast our votes," she said. "There's a lot going on. A lot of people don't seem to be concerned about a lot of things that are going on that we probably should pay a lot more attention to. So I've been encouraging especially some of our younger people to come out and vote. It's their right and just to take advantage of the opportunity to do something for themselves."

The push to promote early voting continues in the battleground state with several big appearances scheduled this week, including Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Barack Obama.

Voters continue to show up in droves and wait in line to cast their ballot