North Carolina Governor Faces Two Election Reform Bills

The North Carolina House approved two wide‑ranging election bills. House Bill 834, passed 74‑35, would shorten the primary early‑voting period and extend post‑election ballot‑curing deadlines. House Bill 958, passed along party lines 62‑46, adds performance audits of election systems, reduces early voting from 17 to 10 days for primaries and runoff elections, and changes absentee‑ballot procedures. The Senate later approved revised versions of both measures, sending them to Governor Josh Stein. Stein can sign, veto, or allow the bills to become law without his signature. Republicans appear to have enough votes to override a veto of HB 834, though they are unlikely to do so before the November election. HB 834 would take effect immediately, while most provisions of HB 958 are slated to begin on Jan. 1, 2027 and will not apply to the upcoming November vote.