Bill Summary for H 605 (2021-2022)

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Summary date: 

Apr 19 2021

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2021
House Bill 605 (Public) Filed Monday, April 19, 2021
AN ACT TO SET THE DATE FOR THE 2022 PRIMARY AS JUNE 7, 2022; TO ALLOW THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO ISSUE TEMPORARY RULES FOR CONDUCTING THE 2022 PRIMARIES AND ELECTIONS; AND TO ADDRESS OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE 2022 PRIMARY.
Intro. by Winslow, Dahle, Hawkins, Mills.

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Bill 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.