The Governor vetoed the act on 01/28/22. The Governor's objections and veto message are available here: https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewBillDocument/2021/53640/0/H605-BD-NBC-9357.
Bill Summaries: all (2021)
Tracking:
-
Bill H 605 (2021-2022)Summary date: Jan 31 2022 - View summary
-
Bill H 605 (2021-2022)Summary date: Jan 19 2022 - View summary
Senate committee substitute to the 3rd edition deletes the content of the previous edition and now provides as follows.
Sets the date of the 2022 primary election as June 7, 2022, notwithstanding state law or any court order issued prior to January 18, 2022.
Amends SL 2021-56 (Revise Local Gov't Redistricting/Census) as follows. SL 2021-56 delays certain regular municipal elections scheduled for 2021 until specified dates in 2022. Postpones the election dates established by that act for delayed elections, now providing for election dates beginning with primaries and elections on June 7, 2022 (was, March 8, 2022), and general elections on July 26, 2022 (was, April 26, 2022), with election dates based on the method of election.
Further amends SL 2021-56, postponing the expiration of the changes made by that act in Section 1.5 to GS 163-111 (regarding voter registration and changes to party affiliation between primaries), GS 163-82.6 (regarding voter registration between primaries upon qualification), and GS 163-302 (regarding absentee voting deadlines in municipal and special elections), which become effective March 9, 2022, to now provide for their expiration on August 31, 2022 (was, June 1, 2022).
Exempts bond referendums held on the date of the 2022 statewide primary from the timely notice requirements of GS 159-61(c). Requires local governments holding such referendums to comply instead with notice requirements set by the State Board of Elections (State Board).
Authorizes the State Board to issue temporary rules amending GS Chapter 163 or Title 8 of the Administrative Code concerning the timing of the 2022 primaries and general elections, to be effective for those elections only, and allowed only as necessary to ensure orderly and timely operations. Makes these rules subject to the Administrative Procedure Act and requires publishing such rules in the Register as quickly as possible. Makes such rules void 10 days after the final certifications of all 2022 elections.
Establishes the filing period for all offices on the 2022 ballot to be from 8:00 a.m. on March 24, 2022, until 5:00 p.m. on April 1, 2022. Deems candidates who filed during the filing period in December 2021 who have not withdrawn their notice of candidacy to have filed during the filing period established by the act. Specifies that state law concerning withdrawal of candidacy applies.
Requires all covered persons and candidates filing a notice of candidacy who are also required to file a statement of economic interest under state ethics laws set forth in GS Chapter 138A, Article 2, to do so by April 15, 2022. Sets specified deadlines for other individuals to file a statement of economic interest, including nominated individuals, individuals seeking to qualify by petition or by write-in votes, or candidates of a new party chosen by convention.
Changes the act's titles.
-
Bill H 605 (2021-2022)Summary date: Apr 28 2021 - View summary
House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.
Makes technical changes throughout GS 163-166.7A, proposed GS 163-307, and GS 163-307, to refer to the "State Board" rather than the State Board of Elections.
Revises the required information of placards mandated by new subsection (c) of GS 163-166.7A, to include a statement indicating that voters can bring electronic or paper voting guides, notes, and informational materials inside the voting booth (previously did not specify form), and a statement indicating the voter can access the State Board's website, rather than the State Board, for more information on voting.
Adds to proposed GS 163-307 to require the State Board to provide training to county boards of elections staff for local elections in accordance with the training required of county boards of elections staff for federal or State offices with regard to voter education information placard requirements of GS 163-166.7A(c) pursuant to GS 163-166.7A(d), which requires training at least 90 days before the beginning of each voting period and permits virtual training.
Amends the proposed changes to GS 163-22, revising the time the mandated toll-free telephone must be staffed and operated by a State Board staff member to (1) beginning with the first day voting places are open pursuant to GS 163-227.2(b) through the Monday prior to election day, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. each calendar day, and (2) on election day, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (was from the time that voting places must be open through 30 minutes after the polls are closed each day during the period from the first day ballots are available for voting pursuant to GS 163-227.10 through election day).
Deletes the proposed changes to GS 163-82.24, regarding training and certification of election officials, as well as the appropriation to the State Board for purposes of staffing the toll-free telephone number. Makes conforming changes.
-
Bill H 605 (2021-2022)Summary date: Apr 21 2021 - View summary
House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Amends GS 163-166.7A, by adding that the State Board of Elections (State Board) is also required to develop the placard that contains voter education information in addition to ensuring that it is displayed as required by the act. Amends the required minimum content of the placard to clarify: (1) that unaffiliated voters may participate in a primary or second primary election for a political party of their choosing only if the party allows unaffiliated voters to participate in its primary; and (2) that the Board's phone number is toll free. Adds the requirement that the Board train the county boards of elections staff on the items on the placard at least 90 days before the beginning of each voting period; allows the training to be conducted virtually.
Amends GS 163-22 to require the State Board's telephone number for voting questions to be staffed by a State Board employee and operated at least from the time that voting places must be open through thirty minutes after the polls are closed (was, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) each day during the period from the first day ballots are available for voting under GS 163-227.10 (was, the first day mail-in absentee ballots are sent to voters) through election day.
Amends GS 163-82.24 to allow the State Board's trainings on voter education information as described in GS 163-166.7A, to be conducted virtually.
Adds an appropriation of $20,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2021-23 biennium from the General Fund to the State Board for staffing the phone number for answering citizen calls on voting questions. Effective July 1, 2021.
-
Bill H 605 (2021-2022)Summary date: Apr 19 2021 - View summary
Adds the following requirements to GS 163-166.7A, which provides for voter education regarding elections involving candidates for federal or State office. Requires the State Board of Elections (State Board) to ensure a placard is prominently displayed at the entrance of each voting place during all hours the site is open for on-stop absentee voting and on election day containing information on the right to vote and how to vote, specific to that election. Specifies minimum required information of the placards, such as the right to vote a provisional official ballot and a statement indicating that voters can bring voting guides and information materials inside the voting booth. Makes technical changes.
Enacts GS 163-307 requiring county boards of elections to post the voter education information required in GS 163-166.7A(a), subject to State Board approval, and the State Board to ensure placement of an informational placard with information required in GS 163-166.7A(c), as enacted, at voting sites for elections held for any municipality, special district, or school administrative unit, as specified.
Adds the following to GS 163-22, regarding State Board powers and duties. Requires the State Board to establish and maintain a webpage with a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding voting rights, including applicable deadlines and time frames, with required review and updating at least 90 days before the beginning of each voting period and on an as-needed basis. Requires the State Board to establish a toll-free phone number for voting questions which must be staffed by a State Board employee and operated at least 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day during the period from the first day mail-in absentee ballots are sent to voters through election day. Directs the State Board to establish a quick response barcode that can be scanned by a mobile phone and links to the State Board's webpage for frequently asked questions, and include the quick response barcode on mailings or voter guides produced by the State Board or county boards. Requires the State Board to include voter education information in its advising of county boards.
Amends GS 163-82.24 to require the State Board to include voter education information as described in GS 163-166.7A, as amended, in its training programs. Requires the State Board's certification of election officials to include voter education information as described in GS 163-166.7A, as amended.
Applies to elections held on or after October 1, 2021.