Amends GS 163-45(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 check‑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.
Bill Summaries: H697 ELECTION OBSERVER BILL OF RIGHTS.
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Bill H 697 (2017-2018)Summary date: Apr 10 2017 - View Summary