<aside> 🗳️ Introduction to This Report

This report aims to build confidence in North Carolina’s voting system by shedding light on the processes, checks, and quality assurance steps in place that ensure fair and free elections, and, ultimately, a stronger democracy.

In this report you will find a detailed overview of the processes and offices and personnel that govern the counting and certification processes, as well as a timeline of key dates. We have also identified potential process and personnel vulnerabilities to better help our pro-democracy partners monitor our elections and target corrective action to protect the integrity of our elections.

Please note, throughout the report, the blue ballot icon indicates research on legal and election process questions. The orange ballot icon indicates strategic research and potential threats. If you would like to share any feedback on this report or have questions for our research team, contact us at: info[at]informingdemocracy[dot]org.

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North Carolina Overview

In North Carolina, election procedures are centralized through the State Board of Elections. Most procedures are established through (often temporary) regulations issued by the State Board of Elections or by guidance issued by the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections. See Executive Director of the State Board of Elections. This creates a mostly uniform election administration system.

The Governor also has considerable influence over the system as he is responsible for appointing all members of the State Board of Elections and the Chair of each County Board of Elections. Additionally, in the context of some election protests and contests, the General Assembly and the Superior Court of Wake County are sometimes required to weigh in on election matters like appeals of State Board of Elections decisions, or adjudicating the top vote-getter in disputes concerning General Assembly races.

Note: In response to the dire situation created by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, the State Board of Elections has approved emergency measures to ensure voter access throughout affected counties. So far, those provisions do not appear to affect the overall timing of vote counting or certification processes, though affected counties have been granted the power to reschedule mandatory meetings to begin reviewing absentee ballots.

For more details on these emergency measures, see the SBE September 30 and October 7 press releases. The State Board may continue to enact emergency measures, **see Emergency Powers,* and we will continue to update if such measures affect the vote counting and certification process.*

Furthermore, there have been recent resignations by members of the County Board of Elections in Montgomery and Greene. These positions are currently open and we are monitoring for appointments or possible process effects should these vacancies remain through Election Day.

Offices + Personnel

This section provides information about the officers and personnel in charge of election administration in North Carolina. Click on each office below for complete details. You can also review a brief overview here:

Org Chart: North Carolina Election Administration

Election Administration Processes

This section provides information about the election administration processes that key North Carolina election officials at the county and state levels undertake after polls close on Election Day. These processes must follow a strict cadence, prescribed by statute, that ensures that election results are timely certified and accurately reflect the will of voters. Click on each process section below for complete details.