North Carolina
North Carolina has strict laws in place to ensure secure and honest elections for its citizens. State regulations include the allowance of poll watchers, called observers, and stringent anti-voter intimidation laws.
Poll Watchers
An observer is appointed by a candidate or a political party to observe the election day procedures in a precinct. They are not permitted to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election or influence any voter in casting his or her ballot.
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To be eligible to serve as an observer, a person must:
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be a qualified voter in the county, except for the 100 state at-large observers, who must be registered to vote in the state. G.S. § 163-45 and 08 NCAC 20 .0101.
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present the poll manager with a letter signed by the candidate or by an appropriate party official stating that he/she is certified to act as a watcher in that precinct.
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Wear a badge specifying the name of the candidate or party he/she represents.
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Observers may not talk to or approach any of the voters. They must not disrupt voters or election officials. They are not allowed to campaign for a candidate at the polling place. If there is a concern, they must report directly to the chief judge or county board of elections. Observers may only be replaced after serving a minimum of 4 hours. If an observer chooses to leave the voting enclosure, they may not be permitted to re-enter if it disturbs voters or election officials.
Having observers from both parties present is meant to increase confidence in elections and hold our democratic process to the highest standards.
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Anti-Voter Intimidation Laws
Voter intimidation and coercion in North Carolina is strictly prohibited and is considered a Class 2 Misdemeanor punishable by prison time, fines, or both.
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Voter intimidation includes:
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baseless or abusive challenges to voters’ eligibility.
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direct confrontation of voters.
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use of insulting, offensive, or threatening language or raised voices in and around polling places.
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blocking polling-place entrances.
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brandishing weapons in front of voters.
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Dissemination of misleading election information.
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In addition, state law provides its citizens with special protections using marked buffer zones outside voting sites. Buffer zones protect voters from harassment and intimidation when entering a polling place. Electioneering and other activities are prohibited inside the buffer zone. This provision includes voters, election officials, and observers/poll watchers.
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Latest Legislation
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Despite already strict voting laws, the state is moving forward with three bills that would create major changes in the state’s election laws. Senate Bills 326, 724, and 725 target absentee voting access and private election donations. Among the proposed rules, the deadline for counties to receive valid mail-in absentee ballots would be shortened. Currently, the law allows ballots to be received up to 5 p.m. three days after an election if the ballots are postmarked on or before the day of an election. Under SB 326, absentee ballots would have to be received by 5 p.m. on election day to be counted. This bill makes it harder for North Carolina citizens to vote, particularly the elderly and veterans who rely on mail-in voting.
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For more information on North Carolina voting laws, click here.