ELECTION OBSERVER BILL OF RIGHTS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 369 (Public) Filed Thursday, March 14, 2019
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR ELECTION OBSERVERS.
Intro. by Speciale.

Status: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Apr 25 2019)
H 369

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Mar 14 2019 - View Summary

    Amends GS 163A-821(c) to establish seven express rights of election observers. Details explicit right to: (1) begin observation duties from the time the judge of elections enters the polling location until all ballot containers are officially sealed and the voting enclosure is secured for the day; (2) hear the name and address of each voter when the voter first announces the voter's name at the initial checkā€‘in table and ask any election official to repeat the name or address of the voter if the observer was unable to hear the voter's name or address when it was initially announced; (3) observe curbside voting and hear the name or address of the voter as it is announced and to ask any election official to repeat the name or address of the voter if the observer is unable to hear the voter's name or address when initially announced; (4) traverse freely between the curbside voting area and the voting enclosure throughout the curbside voting process; (5) observe curbside voting at such a distance as to enable the observer to hear any instruction or verbal communication between the election assistant and the curbside voter; however, does not allow the election observer to stand within five feet of the curbside voter's vehicle; (6) keep in view any and all ballot boxes until after the ballot boxes are sealed at the end of the day; and (7) only be expelled by a chief judge of elections for cause, in writing, with the expulsion notice signed by the chief judge and at least one other judge assigned to that precinct before the expulsion notice may be lawfully served on the observer. Applies to observations for elections held on or after the date the act becomes law.