Public comment period begins for new voter ID, absentee voting rules

RALEIGH — The N.C. State Board of Elections is seeking public comments from June 21 to July 12 on proposed rules changes related to the implementation of the new voter ID law, including the photo identification requirement for absentee-by-mail voting.

The State Board is required to develop temporary rules by July 1 and permanent rules by Jan. 1, 2020. A public hearing on the proposed rules will be held July 11.

Photo ID is not required in any election in 2019. Beginning in 2020, North Carolina voters will be asked to provide photo identification when voting in-person or absentee-by-mail, with some exceptions. Session Law 2018-144 requires the State Board to adopt rules implementing photo ID for absentee-by-mail voting.

More specifically, the proposed rule changes:

• Define the process for implementing photo ID for absentee-by-mail voting, including the requirement for voters to include a readable copy of their photo ID with an absentee ballot request or ballot return, with exceptions
• Provide that exceptions to the ID requirement for voting in person – including reasonable impediment and religious objection – also apply to absentee-by-mail voters
• Repeal and amend rules based on the previous voter ID law, which was repealed

 Public comments may be provided through any of the following methods:

• Online: Public Comment Portal
• Email: rules@ncsbe.gov
• Mail: Attn: Rulemaking, P.O. Box 27255. Raleigh, NC 27611-7255

A public hearing on the proposed rules will be held as follows:

• Date: July 11, 2019
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Location: State Board of Elections, Third Floor Board Room, 430 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603