Despite criticism from civil rights organizations and rejection from Democratic lawmakers, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill on June 30 proposing changes to the state's electoral process.
The HB 958 initiative Election Law Changes. Among other provisions, it would expand the powers of Republican state auditor David Boliek and modify eligibility and documentation requirements for certain voters.
After its approval in the House of Representatives, the bill went to the state Senate, where it must continue its legislative process before reaching Governor Josh Stein's desk.
However, the future of the initiative remains uncertain. The Senate president, a Republican, Phil BergerHe told the press that he has not committed to submitting the project for debate in the upper house.
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Two amendments adopted in the House of Representatives
Democratic Representatives Phil Rubin and Pricey Harrison worked with the project's sponsor, Republican Hugh Blackwell, to modify the measure.
Among the changes adopted, a provision was eliminated that would have prohibited paying people or organizations for collecting voter registration forms and petitions.
However, both legislators argued that this modification was not enough to support the project.
“This bill harms voters, the people we should be protecting,” Rubin said.
“As I said in the Elections Committee, I will welcome the day when we can work on a bipartisan bill with the express goal of improving voter access,” he added.
Furthermore, the legislator mentioned that a "slightly improved version of a bill that undermines free and fair elections will never be enough."
“We are here to safeguard the right to vote, not to negotiate the speed at which it is eroded,” he said.
Lawmakers also approved, with 69 votes in favor and 44 against, an amendment to clarify that noise intended to disrupt voting or election activities may be used as evidence of a violation, with exceptions for emergencies and the normal operation of the building.
What changes to the electoral process does the measure propose?
Among the main changes are:
Expanding the role of the state auditor in the investigation of electoral processes
The measure would grant Republican state auditor David Boliek the authority to conduct post-election audits in counties selected at his discretion, once the election has been certified.
Review of provisions related to military voting and voting by citizens abroad
The bill would adjust eligibility and documentation requirements for certain voters.
The deadlines for sending, receiving, and processing military and overseas voter ballots would also be adjusted, modifying the administrative schedules that govern mail-in voting in these categories.
Changes to ballot delivery by mail
The bill would stipulate that mail-in ballots may only be delivered in person by the voter, a close relative, or a verifiable legal guardian. Furthermore, anyone delivering a ballot on behalf of the voter would be required to sign an affidavit stating that they are authorized to do so.
Candidate eligibility
The measure would increase from 90 to 365 days the minimum time a person must have been affiliated with a political party in order to be eligible to run in its primary elections.
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Opposition from civil rights organizations
Several activists and civil rights organizations protested before the measure was brought to the floor of the House for consideration on June 22, in the gardens of the General Assembly.
“We know that our state already has many disadvantages for voters,” Iliana Santillán, executive director of Brava NC, told Enlace Latino NC. “Our vote should be easy, it should be inclusive, it shouldn’t have so many obstacles. The message the state is sending to voters is that they don’t want our votes; that they want to control everything.”
During his speech, Santillán added that this measure is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader pattern of voter restrictions.
“What worries me most is not a particular provision, but the direction we are taking: we are moving away from a voter-centered democracy towards a system that requires citizens to constantly prove their legitimacy; we are going from trust to suspicion, and from participation to power,” Santillán said.
Common Cause NC is also another organization that has openly expressed its opposition to the bill, noting concerns similar to those of Santillán, such as that the measure would harm voters by implementing voting restrictions and electoral changes.
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