June 9, 2026

Voter Suppression

State Board of Elections: Proposed Rules on Voting Sites

Hello Indivisible Citizens of Catawba Valley,

It’s another Take Action Tuesday from the ICCV Legislative Committee with our ongoing focus on efforts by the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) to suppress voting, this time with discussion about a third set of proposed rules, this time related to voting sites.  

We previously discussed the List Maintenance rules that were aimed at “non-citizen” voting. The Rules Review Commission, as expected, approved these rules on May 29. Because there were more than 10 letters of objection submitted, those rules will go for legislative review. It is uncertain when that will take place. 

Four new sets of rules from the NCSBE are available for public comment through July 14. We discussed the first two sets of rules, on Photo ID and on Absentee Voting, previously. The final set of proposed rules, on Conduct of Vote Recounts by County Boards of Elections, establishes rules for how bipartisan teams are chosen when conducting recounts, when a recount is considered complete, and changes the deadline beginning a hand-to-eye recount. These do not appear overly problematic, so we will not address them unless we learn more. https://www.ncsbe.gov/public-comment-portal-2026-rulemaking-recounts

WHAT TO DO

  1. Please feel free to share this information with your family and friends. The more we educate people about what is happening with our elections and our government, the better we can protect democracy. 

  2. Submit written comments - particularly regarding the third set of proposed rules on voting sites - to the NCSBE now through July 14, 2026. We recommend you go to the NCSBE website at https://www.ncsbe.gov/news/press-releases/2026/05/14/state-board-welcomes-public-comments-four-sets-proposed-election-rules-0  to review the proposed rules. See HOW TO DO IT. 

HOW TO DO IT

Submit a WRITTEN  comment to the NCSBE objecting to the proposed rules before July 14 by any of the following mechanisms: 

●      Online via the Public Portal: https://www.ncsbe.gov/public-comment-portal-2026-rulemaking-voting-sites for the Voting Site Rules. For Voting Sites, the first 3 proposed rules establish definitions, and establish both buffer zones and electioneering zones. These rules are not specifically concerning. However, 08 NCAC 10C .0104 addresses noise in the area surrounding polling places. It specifically prohibits noise from outside that the chief judge or other judges can hear inside the voting enclosure. NO noise amplification of any kind is allowed. This rule is intended to limit community engagement efforts at the polls, thus decreasing turnout.

●      Email: rulemaking.sboe@ncsbe.gov (Note: Commenter should identify the specific rule being commented on.)

●      Mail: Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, P.O. Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255 (Note: Commenter should identify the specific rule being commented on.)

FYI: The in-person public hearing on this set of rules will be held on June 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Board Room at the State Board of Elections, Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603. 

It is strongly suggested that you put comments into your own words as much as possible, to ensure that each comment is counted individually. Sample letter here: https://democracync.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NCSBE-Sample-Comment-_-Proposed-Rules-on-Amplified-Sound.pdf

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

The Voting Sites rule, as discussed above, is clearly intended to decrease voter turnout. Party at the Polls and other events incorporating music and energy encourage Black, brown, and young voters to participate. These events create a welcoming atmosphere, which builds trust and helps overcome fear. North Carolina has a long history of voter suppression, including Jim Crow.  https://democracync.org/research/ncsbe-proposed-rules-on-voter-id-exception-forms-amplified-sound/

 

Constitutionally protected expressions of First Amendment Rights encourage voting, particularly among minority populations and young people. https://www.commoncause.org/north-carolina/articles/sboe-rules/

 

Thank you for everything you do to protect our democracy! 

ICCV Legislative Committee        

“With Liberty and Justice for ALL”