Many states allow ‘mulligans’ for early voters with a change of heart; Not North Carolina

by WorldTribune Staff, November 2, 2016

A “mulligan” in golf means “allowing a player to replay a stroke, even though this is against the formal rules of golf.”

Folks who have already cast their ballots and are now having voter’s remorse, are being asked by GOP nominee Donald Trump to change their minds.

Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. /AP
Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire on Nov. 1. / AP

In the Google Trend search, five states showed the most interest in the question, “Can you change your early vote?” The states are Nevada, Louisiana, Tennessee North Carolina and Wisconsin.

It is possible for voters in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Minnesota to void their early/absentee ballots if they have a change of heart. The deadline to do so in Minnesota, however, has already passed.

However, in the key state of North Carolina, it’s a different story.

“No, early votes cannot be changed in North Carolina,” responded Patrick Gannon, Public Information Officer of the North Carolina Board of Elections in response to an emailed question by WorldTribune.com.

Millions cast their ballots before FBI Director James B. Comey’s disclosure late last week that the bureau learned of the existence of emails that appear to be relevant to its investigation into Clinton’s email practices, and WikiLeaks has vowed to drop more bombshells before Election Day.

“This is a good time to make an important public service announcement, [because] a lot of things have happened over the last few days,” Trump said at a rally in Wisconsin on Nov. 1.

“This is a message for any Democratic voters who have already cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton and who are having a bad case of buyer’s remorse — in other words, you want to change your vote,” he said.

“Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot,” he said. “So if you live here, or in Michigan, or Pennsylvania or Minnesota — those four places — you can change your vote to Donald Trump.”

Wisconsin’s deadline to change an early vote is Nov. 3 and Michigan’s is Nov. 7.

Voters in Michigan can go to their local clerk’s office to get a new ballot on or before Nov. 7 if they want to change their vote.

In Wisconsin, anyone can request an absentee ballot, and voters can either mail them in or return them in person to a local municipal clerk’s office.

In the key swing state of Pennsylvania, absentee voters who want to change their vote can show up in person at the polls and void their absentee ballot that way.

Early voters in New York, Connecticut, and Mississippi can also change their votes.

Approximately 40 percent of the votes cast in 2016 are expected to come before Election Day.