House committee substitute makes the following changes to 1st edition. Amends proposed GS 163-258.6(b) to delete provision requiring that declarations be received by the deadline to register to vote in GS 163.82.6(c), when a covered voter applies to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of a federal write-in absentee ballot. Creates new subsection (d) to GS 163-258.6 providing that the deadline for receipt of voter registrations is 5:00 p.m. the day before an election. Amends proposed GS 163-258.8 to clarify that an application is considered a valid absentee ballot request for any election covered under GS 163-258.3 held during the calendar year in which the application was received, and that an application for a military-overseas ballot is timely if received by 5:00 p.m. the day before the election.
Amends proposed GS 163-258.9(a) to require absentee ballots for municipal elections be available no later than 30 days before an election. Clarifies that for second primaries that include candidates for federal office, the county board of elections must transmit ballots to specified covered voters no later than 45 days before the second primary. Provides that for second primaries that do not include a candidate for federal office, the transmission of ballots must be as soon as practicable, and must be transmitted electronically no later than three business days, and by mail no later than 15 days, from the date the board of elections orders a second primary.
Amends proposed GS 163-258.10 to clarify that a military-overseas ballot is valid if it is received by the appropriate county board of elections no later than the close of the polls, or if the voter submits the ballot for mailing, electronic transmission, or other authorized means of delivery, not later than 12:01 a.m. at the place the voter completes the ballot on election day (was, must be received by the county board of elections no later than 5:00 p.m. on the third day after election).
Amends proposed GS 163-258.16 by directing, for a second primary required by GS 163-111, the county board of elections to prepare, no later than the day following the date the appropriate board of elections orders that a second primary be held, an election notice for that jurisdiction to be used in conjunction with the federal write-in absentee ballot.
Adds new section to amend GS 163-111(e) to require that a second primary required under the statute must be held 10 weeks after the first primary if any of the offices for which a second primary is required are for a candidate for the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives; otherwise the second primary must be held seven weeks after the first primary.
Adds new section to amend GS 163-234(2) to authorize the county board of elections to begin counting absentee ballots issued under Article 21A of GS Chapter 163 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (previously could not do so before 2:00 p.m.) on election day.
Makes other technical, clarifying, and conforming changes.