State election rules head to Rules Review Commission
North Carolina election rules covering absentee ballots, voter ID, recounts and voting-site procedures are scheduled for review by the state Rules Review Commission this week.
The State Board of Elections says several rule packages adopted in July have been sent to the commission for consideration and final approval, with action expected at the commission’s Aug. 27 meeting.
The pending rules include procedures for how county boards of elections should respond when staff identify a deficiency with a returned absentee ballot. The State Board adopted those rules at its July 20 meeting after a public comment period that ran from May 15 through July 16.
Another rule package would amend photo ID rules for in-person and absentee voting. The State Board says those changes are technical revisions and refinements to existing processes. The board adopted the voter ID amendments July 16 after a public comment period that ran from May 15 through July 14.
The commission also is expected to consider recount rules adopted by the State Board on July 16. Those amendments address procedures for discretionary and mandatory recounts after an election.
A separate voting-site package would guide county boards as they establish buffer zones, electioneering zones and curbside voting areas. It also addresses how election officials maintain peace and order at voting locations.
Under state law, the State Board has general supervision over elections and may adopt election and campaign finance rules that do not conflict with state law. The Rules Review Commission reviews agency rules for compliance with the state Administrative Procedure Act before they take effect.
The review comes as election administration remains a central political issue before the November general election. Absentee voting begins Sept. 4, the voter registration deadline is Oct. 9, and in-person early voting runs from Oct. 15 through Oct. 31, according to the State Board.
If approved, the rules would shape procedures county election officials use during the 2026 general election cycle, including how absentee ballot problems are handled, how voter ID rules are administered and how voting sites are organized.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
