North Carolina lawmakers are set to take up a bill that would further crackdown on absentee voting by implementing earlier deadlines for receiving mail-in ballots.
Under the Election Day Integrity Act that was filed in the North Carolina state Senate on Thursday, all absentee ballots must be received by election officials by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, regardless of whether it was sent by mail or submitted in person. The bill would significantly shift the current deadline, which allows absentee ballots to be counted up to three days after polls close if they were postmarked on or before Election Day. The legislation would provide some exceptions, such as if poll closing times are extended for in-person voting.
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All county boards of elections would be required to post the new absentee ballot deadline requirements on their websites ahead of Election Day as well as on any election materials sent to voters.
The bill would also require election officials to report specific figures to the State Board, including the number of absentee ballots that have been voided due to a voter casting their ballot in person during the early voting period as well as the daily number of outstanding absentee ballots. Officials must also submit a daily report detailing the number of absentee ballots and provisional ballots that have been counted.
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The legislation revives efforts from the state legislature in 2021 to implement a firm deadline for absentee ballots to be received, with state Republicans arguing the legislation was needed to restore voter confidence. However, that bill was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
The state Senate is expected to introduce the bill on the floor for debate on Monday, after which it’s expected to move forward to a vote in the coming weeks. If passed, the bill would take effect immediately and be implemented during the next election cycle.
