RALEIGH — The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) met on Tuesday, June 27, and approved temporary rules related to the implementation of voter ID rules in North Carolina elections.
Beginning with Fall 2023 municipal elections, all voters will be asked to show a form of photo ID when voting in-person and via absentee ballot.
“The agency is proposing rules to ensure uniform, standard implementation of the photo ID requirements in all 3,000-plus polling locations and among all 100 county boards of elections,” a statement from the NCSBE read.
The board also reviewed more than 1,300 comments on the proposed rules, making some changes based on feedback from the public. The state’s Rules Review Commission, which reviews proposed rules from state agencies for approval, will now conduct reviews of the proposals for adoption.
Rules approved by the board focused on the responsibility of poll workers to examine the appearance and name of voters based on their identification provided and that any outside evidence beyond the four corners of the ID is not to be used.
The board also unanimously approved two voter ID exception forms, which were required in the underlying statute. The NCSBE must adopt a reasonable impediment exemption form which must, “at a minimum,” include specific reasons listed in the statute that a voter may select. Voters claiming an exception to showing photo identification must attest that they are the voter casting the ballot.
The NCSBE also appointed four members – two Democrats and two Republicans – to each of the 100 county boards of elections.
In Hoke County, the two Democrats chosen were Walter Blue and Linda Revels, and the two Republicans were Gene Shelnutt and Emily Weidner.
Their terms will begin when they are sworn in on July 18. County board members serve two-year terms.
“We are happy to welcome new members to North Carolina’s elections team,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “Together, we will continue to ensure that our elections are accessible, safe, and secure, and that every eligible vote counts.”
Gov. Roy Cooper appointed the fifth member who will also serve as the chair a day later, naming Lornette McCaskill to the board ahead of their regularly scheduled meeting on July 18.