North Carolina election rules and early voting plans face changes

New election rules and changes to early voting schedules are set to impact North Carolina's upcoming midterm elections. Due to a legislative review request by more than 10 people, 15 sets of proposed rules regarding absentee ballots, photo ID exceptions, and conduct at voting sites have been delayed. These changes are unlikely to take effect until the 2027 election cycle, though the State Board of Elections may attempt to implement certain administrative rules sooner.

Additionally, the North Carolina State Board of Elections has finalized early voting plans that significantly reduce Sunday voting availability. Sunday early voting has been eliminated in 23 counties, reducing the number of counties offering Sunday sessions from 40 in 2022 to 17 in 2026. For 20 counties where local boards could not reach a unanimous agreement, the State Board intervened, largely adopting Republican-led plans that eliminated Sunday voting, citing budget constraints and religious considerations.