The North Carolina State Board of Elections has opened a public comment period on several changes to the state's election process. The reforms would impact absentee voting and voter verification. photo identification, the vote counts and the administration of the polling stations.
The public comment period will begin on May 15 and will run until July 14, 2026.
En Enlace Latino NC We explain the changes and how to submit a comment.
Changes regarding absentee voting
According to the plan, county election officials will need to review each absentee ballot within one business day to determine if there is a “deficiency” or an “irregularity”, categories that will determine how each case will be handled.
Currently, North Carolina already allows for the correction of certain errors in the absentee ballots, But the process varies from county to county.
The proposal standardizes deadlines, categories, and clearer definitions for greater uniformity in application among electoral boards.
The rules establish three main classifications:
- Correctable deficiencies: Missing signatures, illegible copies of identification, or discrepancies between the identification and the voter registration will result in errors. The voter will be allowed to correct the error by providing additional documentation or a declaration.
- Uncorrectable deficiencies: Unsealed or tampered-with envelopes, multiple ballots in the same envelope, or problems with witness or notary signatures could lead to the ballot being invalidated and reissued if there is enough time.
- Irregularities: They require further review by election officials to determine if they can be corrected.
The system also establishes more specific procedures for notifying voters and reissuing ballots when they cannot be validated.
photo identification
The State Board also proposed changes to the photo ID rules, both for in-person voting and for voting by mail.
In the case of in-person voting, officials must continue to verify if the identification is valid and if the photo and name match the voter registration.
However, the proposal details more clearly what constitutes a “reasonable match.” This section includes variations such as nicknames, typos, use of initials, or name changes.
For absentee voting, the rules standardize the review of identification copies and exception declarations.
In some cases, the final decision on the validity of a declaration must be made by a majority of the county election board.
Vote counts
Another part of the proposal modifies the rules on election counts.
The changes include new rules for selecting bipartisan teams to conduct recounts, as well as more detailed procedures for handling ballots rejected by tabulating machines.
The rules also more clearly define when a recount is considered officially complete. They also expand the options for manually recounting or duplicating ballots that cannot be read by the machines. In addition, the deadlines for initiating manual recounts in certain circumstances are adjusted.
It may interest you: State Elections Board postpones vote on citizen verification system after nearly 15,000 comments
Voting centers
The State Board of Elections also proposed new rules for polling stations that would standardize how counties establish campaign zones, curbside voting areas, and security zones around polling places.
The proposal would also limit the use of sound amplification devices, such as megaphones and loudspeakers, near polling centers during voting hours.
County election boards would have to define and demarcate these areas before each election using cones, tape, or other visible markers.
Comment period
The comment period begins on May 15 and ends on July 14, 2026.
During that time, citizens will be able to submit comments online through the following links: absentee vote, photo identification, counting rules and voting centers.
They can also send an email to rulemaking.sboe@ncsbe.gov or mail it to Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, PO Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255.
If you choose any of the email options, you will need to identify the specific rule you are commenting on.
La State Board of Elections It also has public hearings scheduled at its headquarters in Raleigh on the following dates: June 8, 9, 22 and 29.
You may be interested in: Asheville City Council approved the creation of a real-time surveillance center
Adoption process
Following the public comment period, the State Board of Elections will review the comments received and may modify the rules before their final adoption.
If approved, the rules will be sent to the Rules Review Commission for final approval before coming into effect on September 1, 2026.
PODCAST
After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
▶️Press play to listen!
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
