New legislation filed in the North Carolina House of Representatives would give sweeping new powers to Republican State Auditor, Dave Boliek, and the election boards he controls to challenge registered voters of their choosing both before and after elections take place.

The bill—House Bill 958—would allow the Auditor to challenge voters in specific counties at his own discretion, and would also allow the Auditor to direct county Board of Elections chairs to challenge specific voters. It would even allow the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) to hire private counsel rather than utilize lawyers who were appointed to serve the public. The NCSBE could bring challenges in whatever county they believe would provide their arguments preferential treatment. 

Burdensome Obstacles Meant to Toss Ballots 

Once votes are cast, HB 958 introduces burdensome obstacles meant to toss ballots including a photo ID requirement for active duty military serving overseas and an extension of the time line for challenging votes from election day to five days after election day. For close races, this opens the door to candidates strategically challenging votes to try to change the outcome of elections. 

Finally, this bill preemptively eliminates rank choice voting in our state – a system which has proven successful in other states and is considered by many to be a more equitable voting structure.

Advocacy Groups Push Back

Democracy advocacy group Carolina Forward pans HB 958 as a collection of “shady changes” that would make North Carolina elections less transparent and promote partisan manipulation of the election administration process. 

Take Action!

NCLCV encourages citizens to stand up for voters’ rights by contacting their State Representatives now in opposition to HB 958.