HB 958: Election Law Changes

HB 958 proposes numerous harmful changes to how elections are run in our state.

• Attempting to restrict voting access. From creating a costly signature verification program to requiring photo ID for military voters serving our country overseas, this bill adds new obstacles for North Carolinians to have their ballots counted.
• Further politicizing the State Board of Elections by replacing two-fifths of the board’s non-partisan staff with partisan political appointees. It also allows the State Board to hire private counsel rather than utilize lawyers who were appointed to serve the public.
• Restricting State Board and county board of elections members from making public statements promoting voter turnout in any election. These officials should be able to provide nonpartisan information to ensure all eligible voters know how to cast their ballot.
• Opening the door to election sabotage by giving the State Auditor significant power to shape election results after ballots have been cast. The bill allows the Auditor to challenge votes in specific counties at their own discretion and would also allow the Auditor to direct county board chairs to challenge specific voters.