North Carolina board tightens mail-ballot rules just before ballots are mailed
The North Carolina State Board of Elections adopted new mail-ballot guidelines hours before ballots were sent, adding stricter signature checks and prohibiting multiple ballots in one envelope.
On Friday, the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved revised guidance for mail-in ballots just before the ballots were mailed to voters. Under the new standards, officials must discard any ballot whose signature does not correspond to the name on the application or return envelope, and they must reject envelopes that contain more than one ballot. The guidance also specifies that only a near relative or legal guardian may deliver a voter’s ballot in person.
During the board’s discussion, Democratic member Siobhan Millen warned that the changes are more than a minor procedural tweak because they determine ballot eligibility, while Republican member Stacy Eggers described the measures as merely updated guidance. Two Democrats voted against the proposal. These rules could shape how many mailed ballots are counted in the upcoming election.
Why it matters
Stricter mail-ballot rules may increase rejected votes, affecting turnout and results in upcoming elections.
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